Woman Denies She Stalked Actor John Cusack

The Associated Press
Thursday, July 20, 2006; 2:24 AM

LOS ANGELES -- A woman ordered to stay away from actor John Cusack denied Wednesday that she was stalking him.

Cusack, 40, won a temporary restraining order Tuesday against Emily Leatherman, claiming that she has been stalking him for more than 18 months.


Actor John Cusack is photographed during filming in this May 10, 2006 file photo, in Chicago. Cusack won a temporary restraining order Tuesday, July 18, 2006 against a woman he claims has been stalking him for more than 18 months. (AP Photo/Stacie Freudenberg)
Actor John Cusack is photographed during filming in this May 10, 2006 file photo, in Chicago. Cusack won a temporary restraining order Tuesday, July 18, 2006 against a woman he claims has been stalking him for more than 18 months. (AP Photo/Stacie Freudenberg) (Stacie Freudenberg - AP)

In court papers, he said she has thrown "long letters of interest over my fence in bags with rocks and screwdrivers inside," made unannounced visits to offices of people he works with, and listed his address as her own during a recent arrest. She "threatens to commit acts of violence against herself if I do not help her," the papers stated.

On Wednesday, the 31-year-old told The Associated Press by phone: "I've never written any of that."

Leatherman, who has been staying with friends in Los Angeles, said she only sent Cusack two letters. She said they were to request that he use his celebrity status to urge police to investigate her belief that she was drugged and raped by several men in 2001. She said police have refused to take a report.

"I feel I've been set up to look like a stalker," said Leatherman, who must stay at least 500 feet from Cusack, his home, workplace, car and any company or office where he does business.

Cusack's publicist wouldn't comment further.


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