Asia Argento Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Says Anthony Bourdain Paid Off Her Accuser!

Asia Argento denies ever having sexual relations with that young actor.
The #MeToo activist says she was “deeply shocked” by the explosive New York Times report that accused her of paying off her former costar Jimmy Bennett for allegedly sexually assaulting him when he was underage.
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According to a statement obtained by Yashar Ali, the Italian actress called the allegations “absolutely false,” adding unequivocally:

“I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett.”

As we reported, Bennet had been an actor in a film Argento directed when he was only seven and she went on to mentor him for years. He claims that the two had sexual relations in 2013, months after he turned 17 years old.
According to the report, she quietly reached a financial settlement with Bennett a month after she made sexual misconduct claims against Harvey Weinstein.
However, the 42-year-old claims the settlement was arranged by her late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain, who simply wanted to help Bennett during a time he was “undergoing severe economic problems.” Argento added that Bourdain wanted to handle the matter privately and “personally undertook to help Bennett economically.”
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She went on to say that Bennett had “previously undertaken legal actions against his own family” and made “an exorbitant request of money” from her, knowing that Bourdain “was a man of great perceived wealth.” Argento allegedly paid the now 22-year-old $380,000.
Whatever may have happened, many #MeToo leaders have distanced themselves from Argento since the news broke. Activist Rose McGowan said her “heart is broken” by the report.
Weinstein, of course, is taking this as an opportunity to smear Argento’s credibility. Sadly for him, he still has dozens of other accusers.
The LAPD announced Monday afternoon that they were looking to get in touch with Bennett in order to investigate for any potential criminal allegations.
[Image via Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.]