David Copperfield wins stay in assault lawsuit

Magician has denied assaulting former Miss Washington USA contestant

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updated 10:53 p.m. ET Oct. 27, 2009

SEATTLE - Magician David Copperfield has won a six-month stay in a lawsuit filed in July by a Seattle woman who contends Copperfield sexually assaulted her while she was a guest on his private island in the Bahamas.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour stayed the case Tuesday so the U.S. attorney's office in Seattle can complete a criminal investigation. Copperfield has denied the woman's allegations.

Cooperfield said he was being put in the untenable legal position of having to provide information in the civil case that could be used against him in a criminal prosecution.

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The Seattle Times describes the woman as a former Miss Washington USA contestant. She says she met Copperfield during a performance in Kennewick, Wash., and was invited to visit his island in July 2007.