Earlier this week, bassist Dave Ellefson was let go from thrash act Megadeth due to an ongoing sex scandal. A series of sexual text messages surfaced involving Ellefson and a woman who is not his wife, and with them came an explicit video of Dave masturbating onscreen. Rumors that the woman in question was underage were quickly proved false. Now, Ellefson has released a public statement regarding the issue.
“Recently, a very private video was illegally posted on the internet and false allegations were made against me,” said Dave in a statement reported on via MetalSucks. “The actions in the video were between two consenting adults and were recorded without my knowledge. I am working with Scottsdale Police Department in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted this video. Also, my lawyers are preparing a defamation lawsuit to be filed against this person. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am taking this time to be with my family. I wish my bandmates the best with their upcoming tour.”
The tour in question, Megadeth’s upcoming tour with Lamb of God, will run through North America later this summer. You can catch it at one of the following dates:
8/20 – Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
8/21 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
8/22 – Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
8/24 – El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
8/25 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
8/27 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
8/29 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre
8/31 – Reno, NV @ Reno Events Center
9/1 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre
9/2 – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion
9/4 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
9/5 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
9/9 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
9/11 – Danville, VA @ Blue Ridge Festival*
9/12 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/13 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion
9/15 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
9/16 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
9/18 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
9/19 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
9/20 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion
9/22 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
9/24 – Mount Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
9/26 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
9/28 – Minneapolis, MN @ Armory
9/30 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
10/1 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
10/2 – Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron
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Words by Chris Krovatin
