Justin Rolandthe Rick and Morty co-creator whose animation empire collapsed in the wake of domestic violence charges filed against him in Orange County, has been acquitted of those charges.
“This case was dropped due to insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Kimberly Edds, spokesman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
Calling the developmentjusticeRoiland said in his statement, “I always knew these claims were false – and I never doubted that this day would come.” The creator added: “I am grateful that this case has been dropped, but at the same time I am still deeply shocked by the horrible lies that have been reported about me during this process. I am especially disappointed that so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts.” He claimed the source of the allegations was an “embittered ex” who tried to “evade due process and get me ‘cancelled’.”
In the weeks following the 2020 attacks were revealed for the first time in an NBC News article in January, Swimming for adults (who distributes Roiland’s hit Rick and Morty) And Hulu (distributor of Solar Oppositeswhich Roiland co-created, and koala male, of which he was executive producer) cut ties with Roiland. Besides, he has resigned from Squanch Gamesthe developer he co-founded in 2016. Roiland had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Also in the wake of news of the allegations, multiple women came forward on social media with lewd messages they claimed were sent by Roiland. And in one research within The Hollywood Reportercolleagues described behavior in the workplace that they said bothered them, including bringing in a porn star by the Rick and Morty writer’s room and an alleged case of sexual harassment during Rick and Morty’the third season.
THR has reached out to Adult Swim for comment. Hulu and Squanch Games declined to comment.