An altercation erupted during an anti-Scientology protest outside a Hollywood restaurant where convicted rapist Danny Masterson took one of his victims and drugged her before assaulting her.
Demonstrators gathered outside La Poubelle Bistro and Bar Saturday night, urging patrons to steer clear of the eatery whose owner, Francoise Koster, wrote a letter defending Masterson’s character amid his rape trial.
The ‘That 70’s Show’ star was handed a sentence of 30 years after he was convicted of raping two women, one of whom he drugged at the restaurant before taking her to his Hollywood Hills home.
The Saturday confrontation began when one of the protestors wheeled on a man who stood outside the restaurant, smoking. ‘You’re gonna support a place where Danny Masterson raped women?’ the protestor demanded.
An anti-Scientology protest outside La Poubelle Bistro and Bar in Hollywood turned into an altercation Saturday night after a patron knocked a demonstrator’s phone from his hand, leading to one arrest
La Poubelle has been linked to ‘That 70’s Show’ actor Danny Masterson, who was accused of drugging one of his victims at the restaurant before assaulting her at his Hollywood Hills home
Demonstrators urged patrons to steer clear of the eatery whose owner, Francoise Koster, wrote a letter defending Masterson’s character amid his rape trial
‘Who’s that?’ the man responded. The protestor explained that the owner supported the convicted rapist as others butted in to the conversation.
At least a dozen protestors encircled the man, spilling onto the street and surrounding parked vehicles. Several had cameras raised to film the confrontation.
‘I already told you about it,’ another protestor said, pointing his phone directly at the man, who turned and knocked the device from his hand.
A scuffle ensued, ending when Los Angeles police arrived to break up the brawl and arrest one of the protestors.
‘You guys are so full of s***,’ one man shouted at the police. ‘He gets assaulted and you f***ing lock him up.’
The person who swatted the phone stood by one of the cruisers, shirtless and talking to an officer.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they arrested one person for battery but declined to identify the individual.
Masterson was convicted in May 2023 after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape. In late December, Masterson was admitted to North Kern State Prison to serve his 30-years-to-life sentence.
The scuffle ended when Los Angeles police arrived to break up the brawl and arrest one of the protestors
‘You guys are so full of s***,’ one man shouted at the police as they took a protestor into custody. ‘He gets assaulted and you f***ing lock him up’
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they arrested one person for battery but declined to identify the individual
The actor was denied bail last month, with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo citing a flight risk amid his ongoing divorce from Bijou Phillips.
‘In light of the fact that defendant has no wife to go home to, defendant now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful,’ Olmedo wrote.
Masterson was arrested in 2020 and charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003. After his arrest, and during his first two trials, the actor was out on $3 million bail.
Masterson was ultimately convicted of raping a 23-year-old in April 2003 and a 28-year-old woman later that year. Both victims said he got them drunk before assaulting them at his Hollywood Hills home.
While he was only convicted on two counts of rape, Masterson had several accusers. At least three claimed they were pressured to keep quiet by the Church of Scientology.
The women – identified in court as Chrissy B., Jen B. and N. Trout – were all practicing Scientologists when they met the actor through the church.
La Poubelle Bistro factored prominently into the account of Chrissy B., who said she lost consciousness after Masterson served her a drink at the restaurant in 2001.
When she woke up the next morning at the actor’s house she was in serious pain, and Masterson told her they had sex.
The damning allegations were laid out in a letter penned to a Scientology official that was presented at trial.
Masterson was convicted in May 2023 after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape. He was deemed a flight risk amid his ongoing divorce from actress-model Bijou Phillips (left)
Masterson was arrested in 2020 and charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003. He was ultimately only convicted on two counts
The owner of La Poubelle, Koster, is a close friend of Masterson’s and a steadfast defender, even appearing in court to support him.
Court documents describe her as ‘a restaurateur who has had a three-decade friendship with Danny.’
In the character reference, written August 11, 2023, Koster praised his relationship with his daughter and commitment to his then-wife, Bijou Philips, following her kidney failure diagnosis.
The restauraunter described herself as a Buddhist with an upbringing rooted in the Los Angeles community through her family-owned restaurant.
‘In the three decades of our friendship, I have had the honor of witnessing Danny’s extraordinary qualities and the profound impact he has on those around him,’ Koster wrote.
‘I am aware that Danny was convicted of multiple force by rape, but as you contemplate Danny’s circumstances, I urge you to reflect upon these facets of his character. His commitment as a parent, a husband, a son, brother, and friend.’