Illusionist David Copperfield has been hit with a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old model, but the magician has hit back at those claims.

Copperfield calls the accusations an "extortion for money, plain and simple," according to People magazine.

He stands accused of bringing the alleged victim to his private island in the Bahamas in 2007, where according to court documents he "attacked and sexually assaulted her" and "threatened to kill her," which left her "extremely traumatized."

In a statement released by his lawyers, Copperfield claimed his accuser "has a history of lying ... which continues in this lawsuit."

"The facts are that there were more than 20 women and men on the island during her visit. The allegation that there was no one on the island to help her – even if she needed help – is preposterous," he added.

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