Russell Brand has hired Prince Andrew’s “pit bull” lawyer to fight sex charges in the US.
The Mail on Sunday has learned that the 48-year-old, who last week described rape allegations made against him as a “painful, hurtful attack”, has signed up Hollywood powerhouse Andrew Brettler.
Mr Brettler represented the duke of York in the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was sex-trafficked by paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Her case was settled out of court in 2022 for a reported $12 million with no admission of liability by Prince Andrew, who has consistently and vehemently denied all charges against him.
Mr Brettler, who also represents actor Armie Hammer – who has been accused of rape and having “cannibalistic fantasies” – reportedly charges clients up to $2,000 an hour for his expertise.
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Last night, the lawyer confirmed he is representing Brand, saying: “I am only aware of one US case against Mr Brand. I am counsel of record in that action.”
The case involves a woman known only as “Jane Doe” who filed suit in the Supreme Court of the state of New York last November, saying the comedian and actor assaulted her on the set of his movie Arthur, which was released in 2011.
According to her affidavit, Brand “appeared intoxicated, smelled of alcohol and was carrying a bottle of vodka on set” on July 7, 2010, before he exposed himself “in full view of the cast and crew”.
Later that day, she alleges, Brand sexually assaulted her in a bathroom while a crew member guarded the door from the outside.
The woman is suing for damages saying she suffers ongoing trauma from the alleged assault and is fearful that if her name becomes public it will jeopardise her acting career.
A lawyer who has worked with Mr Brettler told the Mos: “People call him a pit bull but he’s more sophisticated than that. He has a huge brain and will use every weapon in his legal arsenal to defend his clients. Russell Brand is in very good, and very expensive, hands.”
Last week, Brand spoke to ex- Fox news host Tucker Carlson in an interview posted to Twitter, in which he referred to claims made by at least five women who accused him of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse in an investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s dispatches.
There have been no charges brought in the UK and Brand denies any wrongdoing.
He told Carlson: “I reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms.
I am aware I have put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous.”