Oscar Winner Hit With 82 Counts in 11 Rapes

Composer's female assistant will also be charged

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – The 71-year-old Oscar-winning composer of “You Light Up My Life,” busted yesterday for attacking women he lured to supposed auditions, is facing 82 counts of rape, sexual assault, and other charges, the New York Post reports. Joseph Brooks is now accused of raping 11 women, and investigators believe there are more. Brooks’ assistant allegedly helped convince the women they were truly auditioning—she even picked them up at the airport. She has agreed to turn herself in next week.

Brooks’ Craigslist ads targeted 18- to 22-year-old women from the West Coast, so they would arrive tired, authorities say. He allegedly told them they were auditioning for a role as a prostitute, and they needed to drink wine—and strip—during the scene. If they were hesitant, he showed them his Oscar. “He is just a very sick old man on a power trip,” said one victim.

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Oscar winning songwriter and director Joseph Brooks is led by police in handcuffs, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Oscar winning songwriter and director Joseph Brooks is led by police in handcuffs, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

Oscar winning songwriter and director Joseph Brooks is led by police in handcuffs from a Harlem precinct, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

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If he were put in jail for the rest of his life, I'd be happy. I just don't want to see this happen to any other girl. He is just a very sick old man on a power trip. - Anonymous victim

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Oscar Winner Hit With 82 Counts in 11 Rapes