In a recent episode of the A&E docuseries Secrets of Playboy, Soul Train creator Don Cornelius was accused by a former “bunny mother” as one of several powerful men that took advantage of young women involved with Playboy.
According to People magazine, the former host and creator of television’s Soul Train, who died in 2012, has been accused of locking up and violently sexually assaulting two young Playboy bunny recruits decades ago.
The former host and creator of television's Soul Train, who died in 2012, has been accused of locking up and violently sexually assaulting two young Playboy bunny recruits decades ago.
In the docuseries that dives into the dark side of Playboy, former “bunny mother” P.J. Matsen levied the allegations against Cornelius, detailing how he met the young women and how it was handled internally by Playboy.
Matsen alleged that Cornelius, who was a Playboy VIP, met the young recruits at a bar, eventually asking the two women, who were sisters, to join him at his house where he was throwing a party. Matsen explained that the two women were not heard from for three days, saying, “These two young girls got in his Rolls-Royce, went up to his house, and we didn’t hear from them for three days,” Masten alleged in the episode. “We couldn’t figure out where they were.”
Matsen says that she and the head of security at the playboy mansion recovered the women after one of them was able to make a phone call after escaping. According to Matsen, they found both of the sisters “bloodied, battered [and] drugged.”
The alleged incident was supposedly covered up by Playboy
Matsen alleges that Playboy handled the incident internally, instructing the two sisters to stay away from the police and to not talk to the press.
If the allegations are true, the cover-up was successful as Don Cornelius was never investigated for any sexual assault against the Playboy Bunnies.
Matsen said that she blames herself for not speaking up sooner, saying, “I blame myself a lot, I have such guilt about not coming forward, but I knew that the establishment wouldn’t allow me to come forward. And who’s going to believe me? Nobody’s going to believe me.”
Don Cornelius died by suicide in 2012 from a gunshot wound after years of chronic pain, according to his son Tony Cornelius.
Cornelius’ son, Tony Cornelius, told People that Masten’s allegation is an “unbelievable story without real proof” and “salaciousness.”
The allegations featured in the docuseries have not been and are not currently under criminal investigations or charges.
