Ashton Kutcher has announced his decision to resign from his position as board chair of an anti-child trafficking organization that he co-founded. This was in response to public criticism and outrage over a letter of support that he wrote for his former That ’70s Show co-star Danny Masterson, who was convicted of raping two women earlier this month.
Kutcher penned a resignation letter soon after, and posted it on the website for Thorn, the group he founded in 2012 (with then-wife Demi Moore). The Your Place or Mine actor, 45, wrote that he “cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve.”
Masterson, 43, was found guilty in June of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills residence in the early 2000s. Before Masterson's sentencing hearing, Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis (who also starred on the show with Masterson), joined a throng of Masterson's colleagues, relatives, and friends to send letters of support to the Los Angeles County judge overseeing the case to request leniency.
Regardless of the letters, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life imprisonment, which stands as the harshest punishment allowable under the law.
Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis Will Step Down From Thorn Roles After Danny Masterson Letter Controversy
Kunis, 40, who served as an observer on the Thorn board, is also stepping down from her position following the controversy. In Kutcher's resignation letter, he also wrote, regarding the couple's choice: "After my wife and I spent several days of listening, personal reflection, learning, and conversations with survivors and the employees and leadership at Thorn, I have determined the responsible thing for me to do is resign as Chairman of the Board, effectively immediately."
The former Punk'd host added: "Victims of sexual abuse have been historically silenced and the character statement I submitted is yet another painful instance of questioning victims who are brave enough to share their experiences."
The father of two endeavored to demonstrate his remorse and regret to those who have experienced the traumatic and life-altering effects of sexual abuse.
"The mission must always be the priority and I want to offer my heartfelt apology to all victims of sexual violence and everyone at Thorn who I hurt by what I did,” he wrote. “And to the broader advocacy community, I am deeply sorry."
In his controversial letter written to the judge, Kutcher deemed the convicted rapist and criminal to be "an extraordinarily honest and intentional friend," "a positive influence," and a "role model."
Kutcher went on: "While I’m aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing." Kunis wrote that Masterson had "innate goodness and genuine nature."
View this post on Instagram
Upon the discovery of the couple's letters by the public, Kutcher and Kunis apologized for the letters, and the fact that everyone could now read them.
Kutcher uploaded an Instagram video with Kunis, and he said: "They were intended for the judge to read and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or retraumatize them in any way."
He added: "We would never want to do that. And we’re sorry if that has taken place." Kunis chimed in: "Our heart goes out to every single person who’s ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape."
