Terry Richardson Slams Sexual Assault Claims

When model Charlotte Waters accused Terry Richardson of sexual assault, this didn’t really come as a surprising confession. After all, this isn’t the first time photographer Terry Richardson has been publicly shamed for his questionable behavior while shooting models. Although he shoots a lot of provocative celebrity photos, it’s the models, mostly anonymous, that have come forward to talk about deplorable behavior by Richardson during photo shoots. Aside from an incident in 2010, claims haven’t been brought to light in such a manner like Charlotte’s claims because she came forward as herself.

It was expected that Terry Richardson, who shoots for popular magazines like GQ, and Rolling Stone, would brush it under the rug by not commenting on this sexual assault claim, but instead he has decided to defend himself by writing a lengthy letter on why he’s misunderstood. Essentially, he called the whole thing a “witch hunt.”

Obtained by Page Six is a letter written by Richardson saying that the accusations are “hate-filled and libelous tales.”

Richardson acknowledges that this isn’t the first time he’s been accused of something like this before. “I chose to primarily ignore a cycle of Internet gossip and false accusations against me.?.?. I felt that to dignify them with a response was a betrayal of my work and my character.” However, he continues to defend himself by writing about this recent string of allegations that has thrust him into the spotlight.

“When these allegations resurfaced over the past few months, they seemed especially vicious and distorted.?.?. becoming nothing more than an emotionally-charged witch hunt.”

Since Charlotte Waters has gone public, another model named Jamie Peck has also stood by accusations. Also, back in 2010, Rie Rasmussen accused him of manipulating other models. Richardson continued on:

“People have become comfortable concocting hate-filled and libelous tales.?.?. In writing this, I make a humble attempt at correcting these rumors,” adding that without his voice, “All that remain are the lies.”

Known as a provocateur, Terry Richardson has gained a tainted rep for his photography, and most of his photos of celebrities has gotten major exposure for their edgy nature. For example, Lindsay Lohan, in the whirlwind of her legal troubles, was shot by Richardson holding a gun to her head. According to Richardson, he described his photographs that he takes “explore the beauty, rawness and humor that sexuality entails.”

However, the photographer notes that he works with women who are adult and consenting, and are aware of his risque work.

“As is typical with any project, everyone signed releases.?.?. I have never used an offer of work or a threat of rebuke to coerce someone into something that they did not want to do. I give everyone that I work with enough respect to view them as having ownership of their free will and making their decisions accordingly.”

Unfortunately, even though Charlotte Waters went to the NYPD to file a charge against Richardson, she was told that it didn’t count as a crime because she never resisted verbally.

[Image Credit: Melissa Dex Guzman / Flickr]