Comedian Accused of Rape and Abuse Denies Allegations While Another Ex Comes Forward
Beth Stelling’s Ex and Alleged Abuser Denies Allegations; Another Ex Says She Was Abused
It was one week ago that comedian Beth Stelling received national attention for opening up about being abused and raped by an ex-boyfriend. She had posted images on Instagram accompanied by a narrative stating that she had been “verbally, physically abused and raped” by her ex boyfriend, but she had stopped short of identifying the ex that she was referring to.
Although she didn’t openly name her alleged abuser, many of her friends went ahead and outted the ex-boyfriend who had been the subject of Stelling’s Instagram post as Cale Hartmann. Late last week, Hartmann posted on Facebook denying that he abused Stelling, and offers a plea for people to refrain from judging him based on nothing but a social media post. “Just try for two seconds to imagine waking up to see you have been accused of the worst crime imaginable. You have no idea how terrifying that is, especially when the personal threats start rolling in,” he wrote, adding “I fell in love with Beth and will continue to treat her with the utmost respect. ”
Hartmann sounds sincere, but another ex has already stepped forward and said that she too had dated Hartmann (although she also stayed away from mentioning names), and that she also had been abused by him. Comedian Courtney Pauroso discussed her relationship with Hartmann,on her podcast titled “We Should Have a Podcast.”
Pauroso was very emotional on Episode 28 of her podcast and said that she was raped when she tried to break up with him in September 2014. “I left the next morning, and I ran away,” she said, “and have been trying to deal with my life since that moment.” She said it took her a long time to acknowledge that it happened to her, and after Beth Stelling had come forward, she wanted to be open about it as well. Pauroso was clearly uncomfortable talking about it, admitting that it was even scary to say the words, so she created a series of note cards to help her tell her story.
A month after she ended her relationship with Hartmann, Pauroso says she found out through the grapevine that he started dating Beth Stelling. Both women have since connected and talked about their experiences, and you can hear Pauroso talk in detail about her feelings, experiences, and reactions on the podcast. She also reacted to Hartmann’s Facebook post denying the allegations.
Pauroso is a comedian, an alum of the infamous Groundlings and a teacher at the Groundlings theater and school
You can listen to the podcast at feralaudio.com/weshouldhaveapodcast.
https://twitter.com/courtneypauroso/status/683464002731573248
When we share, it gives others the strength to & the full picture comes into focus. Courtney and I are intertwined. https://t.co/vboTg5aXzr
— Beth Stelling (@BethStelling) January 3, 2016
Courtney Pauroso, right with podcasting partner Corey Podell, left
