American illusionist and magician David Blaine has denied sexual assault allegations made against him.
Last Monday (April 1), the New York Police Department confirmed that an investigation was underway by the department's special victims division following a report in the American website The Daily Beast which stated that detectives had taken statements from two women who allege Blaine sexually assaulted them.
Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea told reporters during a press conference that the allegations are being investigated but did not discuss any further details, including whether police had sought to interview Blaine.
A representative for Blaine, Jill Fritzo, has now responded to the allegations in a statement, saying: "David denies the accusations that have been reported and he takes these allegations seriously.
"He intends to cooperate with any investigation."
Citing unnamed sources, The Daily Beast's report said that one of the alleged victims claims she was attacked by Blaine in his apartment in Manhattan in 1998, which might be outside the statute of limitations.
The Daily Beast previously reported that a former model alleged Blaine raped her in London in 2004, an allegation he denied.
Scotland Yard detectives later declined to take further action after investigating her claim, the website said.
The 45-year-old magician is due to play Dublin's 3Arena on June 8.
He is known for his unusual stunts which have included being buried in a clear coffin for one week in 1999 and standing on a 30-metre pillar without a safety net for 36 hours straight in New York City in 2002.
