Flatley sues woman who accuses him of rape

Riverdance star Michael Flatley has launched a €91m counter-lawsuit against a woman suing him for alleged rape.

He accused the Illinois estate agent of fraud, extortion and defamation for claiming he sexually assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel.

Lawyers for the woman on Wednesday filed a €32m suit against the dancer, alleging he raped her in his suite at the Venetian resort hotel-casino after inviting her to spend the day sightseeing, shopping and gambling.

But Flatley, 44, yesterday alleged she got into his bed naked and willingly spent the entire night there, making no attempt to leave.

“Their relationship and everything that occurred between them that night was entirely voluntary and consensual on [her] part,” according to court papers filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The following morning she kissed him and was “relaxed and happy” as they enjoyed breakfast together, the suit said.

More than two months later she threatened to go public with allegations of rape if Flatley did not give her a “substantial payment”, it said.

Flatley’s suit said he refused and reported the matter to the FBI.

The dancer also accuses the woman of causing emotional distress and wrongful interference with prospective economic advantage.

The Las Vegas Police Department has said the woman reported the alleged attack to police but declined to press charges.