AceShowbiz - Marilyn Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, has dropped his defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and agreed to pay her approximately $327,000 in attorneys' fees. The lawsuit stemmed from allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct made by Wood against Manson in 2021.

As part of the settlement agreement, which was reached on November 19, Manson will also dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal. In March 2022, Manson had filed the lawsuit against Wood and her romantic partner, Illma Gore, accusing them of defamation and spreading "malicious falsehoods." Manson alleged that Wood had falsely claimed that he had "filmed the sexual assault of a minor" for a short film and had "publicly cast" him as a "rapist and abuser."

In May 2023, the judge overseeing the case sided with Wood and Gore, agreeing to strike out portions of Manson's lawsuit on the grounds that their statements were protected by the anti-SLAPP statute. Manson's lawyers appealed the ruling, but now have agreed to drop the case altogether.

"After 4 years of fighting a battle where he was able to tell the truth, Brian is pleased to dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal in order to close the door on this chapter of his life," said Howard King, one of Manson's lawyers.

Wood's lawyers praised the settlement, saying that Manson's claims had been "meritless" and his attempt to silence her had failed.

"Warner’s decision to finally abandon his lawsuit and pay Ms Wood her full fee award of almost $327,000 only confirms as much," said Michael J. Kump, an attorney for Wood.

The settlement agreement follows an investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office into allegations of sexual misconduct against Manson. In October 2022, the DA's office announced that the investigation was ongoing and that new leads and evidence had emerged.