Riverdance star sued for alleged Las Vegas rape

Riverdance star Michael Flatley is being sued for €32 million by a woman who claims he raped her in a Las Vegas hotel.

Riverdance star Michael Flatley is being sued for €32 million by a woman who claims he raped her in a Las Vegas hotel.

The lawsuit was filed in Lake County, Illinois, on behalf of a Chicago-area estate agent who says she flew to Las Vegas to visit Flatley in October 2002.

The lawsuit says the woman, whose name was not revealed, was in her private bedroom area of Flatley's suite at the Venetian Resort Hotel-Casino when he raped her.

Flatley's lawyer, Mr Bert Fields, called the allegations "absolutely false."

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"There is no truth to it whatsoever. The evidence to that effect is overwhelming," he said.

Mr Fields said the woman threatened months ago to claim Flatley had raped her unless he paid her. He said Flatley refused to pay.

Lieutenant Jeff Carlson of the Las Vegas Police Department said today the woman had reported the alleged incident to police but declined to press charges.

Mr Dean Mauro, a lawyer for the woman, said she met the dance star at an event in Las Vegas in September. Mr Mauro said Flatley invited her to visit him for a day of sightseeing, shopping and gambling.