News & Gossip

Updated January 12, 2009

New York Director Accused of Assaulting Aspiring Actresses

Associated Press

NEW YORKSeveral women say they were lured to the New York City home of the Academy Award-winning songwriter of 'You Light Up My Life' and were sexually assaulted while auditioning for movie roles.

Several women say they were lured to the New York City home of the Academy Award-winning songwriter of "You Light Up My Life" and were sexually assaulted while auditioning for movie roles.

Police are investigating whether 70-year-old director Joseph Brooks advertised for upcoming film roles on Internet postings as a ploy to assault women.

A telephone call to Brooks' attorney on Monday hasn't been returned.

Police say when a woman responded to an audition call, Brooks would tell her she'd be playing a prostitute and would have her drink shots and perform sex acts on him.

Some women say they may have been drugged. Police are investigating how many women might have been involved.

Brooks won an Oscar for the 1977 ballad "You Light Up My Life," sung by Debby Boone. He also wrote and directed the romantic comedy for which the song was composed.

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