'NYPD Blue' Star Evades Rape Charge

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FIRST PUBLISHED: March 8, 2008 12:37 PM EST
LAST UPDATED: March 8, 2008 12:47 PM EST

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

No criminal charges will be filed against "NYPD Blue" star Esai Morales over allegations that he raped his ex-girlfriend, a prosecutor's office spokeswoman said Friday.

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office rejected the case on Feb. 13, citing lack of evidence, spokeswoman Shiara M. Davila said.

"I'm happy that my client was vindicated," Morales' attorney, Richard Charnley, said Friday. "He was never questioned by the police, never taken into custody, there were never any charges brought against him."

Morales' former girlfriend, Elizabeth Mazzocchi, alleged that he raped her in April 2006. Morales has denied committing any crime, Charnley said. He also noted that Mazzocchi continued to live with Morales for months after the alleged rape.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, but Mazzocchi has been very public with her allegations, including the holding of a news conference to detail accusations against Morales.

Mazzocchi has sued Morales in Los Angeles County Superior Court for unspecified damages, contending he raped her and gave her herpes. The lawsuit is awaiting trial.

"She stands by her allegations, absolutely," said Nader Pakfar, an attorney representing Mazzocchi in the civil case.

Pakfar said an investigation for the civil case may uncover additional evidence that might convince the district attorney's office to file criminal charges.

The DA had a very limited investigation and did not have the benefit of any of the evidence that's going to come out, he said.

Morales, 45, appeared in the movies "Bad Boys" and "La Bamba," and played Lt. Tony Rodriguez on "NYPD Blue."

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