TL;DR
- Leslie Benzies accused of assault by Epstein victim.
- Sam Houser mentioned as aware of situation.
- No direct Epstein ties for either, and no lawsuits yet.
Former Rockstar North leader Leslie Benzies faces claims of sexual assault from a woman who survived Epstein's trafficking network. Rockstar's current president, Sam Houser, also pops up in the files, though in a different light. Let's break this down step by step, based on what's out there so far.
The Source of the Claims
These details come from a batch of files released by the U.S. Department of Justice, part of the ongoing release of materials related to Epstein's crimes. On one specific page, a woman named Sarah Ransome shares her story in an email from late 2023. She lists people she thinks could back up her experiences in a legal fight against the government. That's where Benzies and Houser enter the picture.
Ransome says she dated Benzies back in the early 2000s, around 2006. In her words, he "sexually assaulted" her after an incident involving drugs and money. She even ties it to elements in Grand Theft Auto games, suggesting his actions inspired some content. But remember, these are her personal accounts, not proven facts from a court.
As for Houser, Ransome mentions meeting him several times through her relationship with Benzies. She hints that he knew about certain behaviors at Rockstar North, saying, "You met me ample times when dating Leslie, and now the time has come about what you and your Rockstar North boys really get up to behind the scenes. I'm surprised there has yet to be a class action for you guys alone!!" No outright accusations against him, just implications.
Who Is Sarah Ransome?
Sarah Ransome is a confirmed survivor of the abuse orchestrated by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. She's spoken out before about her ordeals, which started in her early 20s. Over the years, she's named powerful people in her statements, but some of her claims have been questioned. For instance, she once pulled back on certain allegations, saying she felt pressured, only to stand by them later.
Her list in the documents includes big names like politicians and celebrities, but it's framed as potential witnesses for her own case, not direct Epstein accomplices.
Background on Leslie Benzies and Sam Houser
Leslie Benzies played a huge role in building the Grand Theft Auto series. He led Rockstar North until 2016, when he left amid disputes and lawsuits over royalties. After that, he started Build a Rocket Boy, working on projects like the game MindsEye, which hasn't fared well in reviews. Now, these old allegations are casting a shadow over his career.
Sam Houser, on the other hand, co-founded Rockstar and still runs the show there. He's kept a low profile, focusing on hits like GTA and Red Dead Redemption. His mention here seems more about association than action.
Neither man, nor their companies, has commented yet.
Word spread fast on social media, with gamers sharing shock and calling for answers. Some posts highlight the need for caution, pointing out these aren't convictions. Others worry about what this means for upcoming titles like GTA 6.
What Happens Next?
Right now, these are just claims in a document, no charges or investigations announced against Benzies or Houser. The Epstein files have exposed a lot over time, but not every name means guilt. If anything develops, like statements or legal moves, it'll make headlines here.
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