EX-NYPD BLUE STAR RE-ACCUSED OF RAPE BY FORMER GIRLFRIEND

A former girlfriend of actor ESAI MORALES has re-accused him of raping her and giving her herpes - and this time she claims there are other women who will testify on her behalf.

Elizabeth Mazzocchi initially accused the former NYPD Blue star of sexual misconduct in July (07), but she held a press conference in Los Angeles on Friday morning (28Dec07), during which she reported she has been contacted by other "victims" of Morales.

At the conference, Mazzocchi reiterated she started dating Morales in January 2006 and moved into the actor's home two months later.

She claimed her ex started "physically and verbally" abusing her a month later, often causing "bruising and bleeding".

She said, "His most vicious attack occurred on May 19, 2006 when, despite my objections and attempts to escape, Esai Morales held me down and forcibly raped me. Throughout the rape, he screamed that I wanted it and he called me a whore."

Mazzocchi went on to allege the actor gave her herpes, from which "I will suffer pain and humiliation every day for the rest of my life."

Since filing a lawsuit against the actor, who played Lt. Tony Rodriguez in NYPD Blue, Mazzocchi claims she has spoken to other former girlfriends who plan to come forward with allegations that they too were sexually assaulted by him.

She has revealed, "Two of these women have provided me with sworn declarations describing Esai Morales' conduct in detail. They are both prepared to assist me in my lawsuit."

Mazzocchi ended the press conference by giving out her email address and asking other former girlfriends of Morales to come forward and contact her.

Morales reassured fans the sexual assault charges filed against him were "without merit" in a post on his MySpace.com page earlier this year (07).

Richard Charnley, a partner for legal firm Ropers Majeski Kohn Bentley, who are representing Morales, tells WENN, "This case has always been, and will always be, about two things - money and revenge.

"The news conference... was a last-ditch effort by her and (her) new legal team to get my client to write them a very large check.

"Since Ms. Mazzocchi and her team know they have no legal footing in this case they are attempting to try it in the media through a fishing expedition.

"Mr. Morales continues to stand by his initial denial and stands on his 30-year reputation as a fine actor, a committed community activist and a good citizen."