The statement comes after rather embarrassing footage emerged on Twitter of Ellefson ‘pleasuring’ himself during multiple graphic exchanges with an apparently underage girl.
“As you may or not know, some private and personal conversations and interactions have surfaced online, released with ill intention by a third party who was not authorized to have them or share them,” Ellefson said in an earlier Instagram post before switching his account to private mode.
“While certainly embarrassing, I want to address it as openly and honestly as possible. As much as it’s not something I’m proud of, these were private, adult interactions that were taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation my career, and family.”
© Down The Barrel Photography 2021. Dublin Ireland.
The statement, which appears in a screenshot below, was paired with a post that appeared to be from the woman. She denied being underage when the video calls took place, describing any suggestion that she had been groomed by Ellefson as “misinformation.”
In her initial post, she also wrote, “I was just naive enough to record him and share it with a friend without his permission. In the end, it was all consensual and all online.”
The news broke as tickets for Megadeth’s rescheduled fall 2021 U.S. shows as part of the Metal Tour of the Year went on sale. They’ll be appearing on a bill with coheadliner Lamb of God, as well as support acts Trivium and In Flames, on dates set to begin this August in Austin.
This morning [May 11th] an official statement from Megadeth appeared on their social media, stating that they are: “keeping an eye on the situation” and they “look forward to the truth coming to light.”
Ellefson’s official Instagram page has since been switched to ‘private’ settings and aside from his statement, remains quiet, despite the news catching fire on the internet, much to the embarrassment of the iconic bass player.
We’ll keep you up to speed with things as they evolve.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2021
