Ashton Kutcher resigns from child sexual abuse organization Thorn and apologizes again for writing a letter of support for rapist Danny Masterson: ‘It was a misjudgment’
- Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis wrote letters testifying to Masterson’s character
- They said he was “honest” and kept Kutcher away from drugs
- Since then, they have been hit by a tidal wave of backlash
Ashton Kutcher has resigned from the board of a child sex abuse organization he co-founded and apologized again for the ill-advised letter of support he wrote for his convicted rapist friend Danny Masterson.
In a letter to the organization obtained by TIME, Kutcher said the letters he and his wife, Mila Kunis, wrote were a “misjudgment.”
“Victims of sexual abuse have been silenced in the past, and the character statement I submitted is another painful example of the questioning of victims who are brave enough to share their experiences.”
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologize in video for supporting rapist Danny Masterson
Masterson and Kutcher in 2017. The pair were friends for decades before he was convicted of raping two women in separate incidents in 2001 and 2003
“After several days of listening, personally reflecting, learning, and speaking with survivors as well as Thorn’s staff and leadership, my wife and I have decided that it is my responsibility to step down as CEO, effective immediately.”
“I cannot allow my lapse in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve,” he wrote.
The stars were hit by a tidal wave of backlash after their letters were published in which they called Masterson an “honest” man.
They did nothing to influence the judge. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Kutcher has been a vocal advocate for the organization, appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to testify to the horrors of child trafficking he faced through his work for the charity.
They met Masterson on That 70s Show.
In an apology video posted on social media, the two said they had thought about their support for Masterson and now realized it was unwise.
Masterson, a Scientologist, long denied his victims’ allegations.
All three of his accusers were former members of the church.
He was found guilty of raping two women.