Flatley to settle false claims for $11M

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- "Lord of the Dance" star Michael Flatley has agreed to accept an $11 million payment to settle false rape claims made by a Chicago exotic dancer.

The settlement comes after the celebrated Irish folk dancer was accused of raping exotic dancer Tyna Marie Robertson in Las Vegas in 2003, The Irish Independent said Friday.

Flatley had been in Las Vegas at the time of the alleged attack, performing his patented "Lord of the Dance" show at the Venetian Casino.

He maintained his innocence and immediately ordered his attorneys to file a $100 million lawsuit against Robertson and her attorney, Dean Mauro.

Following the filing of that suit, the California Supreme Court ruled in his favor and the truth regarding the incident came out.

The newspaper said the rape claims had been part of a plot to force Flatley to pay $30 million to keep the charges hidden from the press.