Flatley countersues woman accusing him of rape

LOS ANGELES - Riverdance star Michael Flatley has launched a $100 million (US) countersuit against the woman who is suing him for allegedly raping her in a Las Vegas hotel.

Flatlly, 44, claims in the lawsuit that the woman threatened she would accuse the dancer of rape unless he paid her off. Flatley refused and contacted the FBI to investigate, the lawsuit claims.

Bert Fields, Flatley's lawyer, said the woman's claims are outrageous and his client will be found innocent.

He said they launched the countersuit because of the tremendous damage the allegations will do to the dancer's reputation, despite his innocence.

The woman filed a $35 million (US) civil suit against Flatley alleging he attacked her in the bathroom of a large suite of the Venetian Resort Hotel-Casino in October 2002. The woman had flown to Las Vegas to visit Flatley, according to the lawsuit.

Flatley, who was the principal star and choreographer of "Riverdance", brought Irish Dance to worldwide attention. He later starred in "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet of Flames."

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