Southern CharmstarJohn David “J.D.” Madison’s sexual assault accuseris speaking out.
Five months after an incident report was filed against the South Carolina businessman, Susan Johnson has been charged with filing a false police report of a felony in Madison’s case — and she’s fighting back while maintaining her innocence.
“Susan is going to fight this unfair, unfounded charge. She was severely intoxicated on the night in question and so naturally there are some inconsistencies in her recollection. Such inconsistencies do not make her a liar, and they certainly do not make her a criminal,” Harrell said of Johnson, 43, who was booked and released on her own recognizance in Charleston on Thursday, according to Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
Susan Johnson.Courtesy Susan Johnson
“Susan does not remember sending any of the messages — or making any of the phone calls — that police are using as ‘evidence’ to dispute her recollection of what happened. And the fact police are charging her based on their ‘belief’ that she lied about what happened is absolutely unconscionable,” said Harrell.
He continued, “Not only is such a charge unfair to my client, it could have a chilling effect on other women who believe they have been similarly victimized.”
“My client is innocent of this charge and intends to defend herself vigorously in court,” said Johnson’s attorney.
“Approximately a year” after the alleged incident, “Susan Johnson reported a Criminal Sexual conduct in the 1st degree … which is punishable for not more than 30 years in prison,” the affidavit states.
“Johnson then expressed to her friend (female witness) that if they stick together that they stand a chance to make money and in a separate text the suspect referred to talking to an attorney and going for big bucks,” the affidavit continues.
An attorney for Madison — who was not arrested regarding these allegations — did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
She told police that on the evening of Aug. 21, 2017, she, Madison, his male friend, and another female friend gathered at her house for a drink before heading out to a local bar. While there, she claims Madison intentionally broke a glass — and as she cleaned it up, he “slipped a drug” in her already-poured drink on the counter.
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The victim alleges that after finishing the drink, she was in and out of consciousness. She says she remembers going to the bar, but “not feeling right” while there. “This is when she stated that she felt like she might have been drugged,” the police report states.
Later, in the early hours of Aug. 22, the victim woke up in the guest bedroom of her home where Madison was “forcibly raping and sodomizing her,” she alleges.
Feinstein, who talked to the victim, wrote that the victim claimed the alleged attack only stopped when Madison received a phone call from his wife, Elizabeth.
Mount Pleasant police told PEOPLE they were investigating the allegations. Reps for Bravo and Madison did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment at the time.
source: people.com
