Danny Masterson, the actor best known for his role on the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.
Masterson, 47, was convicted in May of drugging and raping the two women at his home in the Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003.
The jury in the retrial deadlocked on another rape charge against a third woman. That charge was dismissed. Masterson has been in custody since his conviction.
The three women at the heart of the charges against Masterson were all members of the Church of Scientology at the time. Two of them said church officials had discouraged them from contacting law enforcement.
Masterson’s lawyers argued in closing arguments that the allegations against him were false and that the women were motivated by a desire to get money from him.
They also questioned why the court had heard so much about Scientology, suggesting that bias against the church could have been a motivating factor.
The Church of Scientology has denied any wrongdoing and has said it does not have a policy to discourage members from reporting criminal conduct to law enforcement.
In a statement released after the sentencing, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said it was “gratified” with the verdict and “sends a message that no one is above the law, regardless of their fame or their wealth.”
Masterson’s lawyers have said that they plan to appeal the verdict.
