Kevin Spacey appears to have gotten his memory back, or so he’d like a judge to believe.
The embattled actor is attempting to have the sexual assault lawsuit against him filed by Anthony Rapp dismissed. His latest strategy? Calling his accuser a liar.
Rapp is suing Spacey over an alleged incident that took place in 1986, when he was only 14 years old.
Rapp said he attended a party at Spacey’s New York City apartment when the actors were both appearing on Broadway. He alleges that Spacey physically picked him up at the end of the night and “made a sexual advance” after placing him onto his bed.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for causing Rapp severe emotional distress and depression as a result of the encounter.
Shortly after Rapp went public with his story in 2017, Spacey said in a statement: “I’m beyond horrified to hear this story. I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.”
Twenty other men subsequently came forward to make similar accusations against the Oscar-winning star. He was quickly dropped from Netflix‘s House of Cards and his part in a Ridley Scott movie, All The Money In The World, was reshot with Christopher Plummer.
But according to court documents obtained by Radar, Spacey has now filed a declaration categorically denying every aspect of Rapp’s story:
“I categorically deny [Rapp’s] claim that I sexually assaulted him or otherwise made a ‘sexual advance’ on him. I met [Rapp] several decades ago. I never had a sexual encounter with Mr. Rapp. Nor did I harbor any sexual interest or desire in Mr. Rapp at that time or any time.”
He added, “Nor did I have physical contact with Mr. Rapp or any other interaction with him that was for the purpose of sexual gratification of either me or him. Nor did I have any physical contact with Mr. Rapp or any other interaction with him that was for the purpose of degrading or abusing him.”
“Any suggestion otherwise by Mr. Rapp or anyone else is absolutely false.”
A judge will now rule on Spacey’s motion to dismiss, which we can’t imagine will go in his favor.
petej
did he ever pay the million $ settlement against him?
MacAdvisor
Settlement with whom? A settlement wouldn’t be effective if the agreed sum is not paid. The only payment I found was an arbitration award of $31 million for breach of contract with the production company of House of Cards.
Joshooeerr
Obviously not – or it wouldn’t be going to court.
Chrisk
You know I might give someone else a break but not spacey. He has a history of sexually assaulting young barely legal guys. I also believe Rapp. No reason for him to lie.
wikidBSTN
Except for money and notoriety – not that an actor ever covets such things . . . .
Bob
Since when is 14 “barely legal” ??
Fahd
Everyone, even Kevin Spacey, is entitled to zealous representation in a legal case. If his lawyers had informed Spacey that if he could recall the factual circumstances and if Spacey believed Mr. Rapp was mistaken in the facts of his complaint then Spacey could file a declaration categorically denying Mr. Rapp’s accusations as part of a Motion to Dismiss.
The American legal system is adversarial, The parties to a dispute are responsible for presenting evidence, and the court/jury makes a finding of fact based on the parties’ presentations.
I would be surprised if Mr. Rapp did not have evidence to support his assertions of facts.
I predict the case will settle in due course.
Caine
Sorry, I do not believe Mr. Rapp.
gregg2010
Believe him.
Godof 1967
I agree. I also knew exactly what I was doing at 14 and how much fun I was having as I looked 17 at the time and not 14.
Cam
@Caine
What a shock, a Spacey troll comes in to defend a child predator.
@Godof 1967 – unlike Rapp, who at the time looked 10 years old.
Michael1500
If Spacey is innocent, I find his initial statement, which amounts to a profound apology, curious. In fact, it is almost a confession by Spacey. If that many men have come forward, I don’t see how they ALL could be lying. It’s looking pretty grim for ole Kev.
Cam
If he remembered this didn’t happen, why did he claim amnesia when the account first went public?
Bob
Court cases have a way of fixing bad memory..
miller2900
…. Hello Cam, you should hope that you never, ever end up in court charged with a crime (small or otherwise) that has a jury deciding your fate. If you can’t answer your own question with a commonsense reply, you might have a preview of how a jury could decide YOUR fate based upon questions like yours…. and in no way am I defending Spacey or making accusations I have no personal firsthand in person knowledge of. Try asking yourself the same question Cam. You might want to add in the possibility that Spacey didn’t really know or remember the answer when initially asked. If I asked you a question in reference to something from over 30-years ago right now I don’t care how good or bad the event was, you wouldn’t remember any accurate details unless you had unaltered video of the particular event (at the first and very same time the question was asked). However Cam, unless you have poor choices in attorneys, I have no doubt you would spend at least a weekend going through whatever storage you have that contains the history of your life to help “jog” your memory in hopes of being able to say ” hey wait a minute, I may be a sexual deviant but I was still on the film set with others that a security camera (even back then) might have caught? While I may live near La, La Land, my career was in shopping center design/development, so I have absolutely no connection to Hollywood or it’s minions to be “influenced”. However, given the industry I was in, I spent way too much time with our attorneys and while not in a criminal reference, the methods of questioning others in a deposition can be very similar.
Cam
@miller2900
Except he said he had no memory of it, now claims it never happened.
Jaquelope
I don’t know if he is or isn’t guilty, but it is extremely possible that all of Kevin’s accusers could indeed be jumping on the “Me, too” train and lying through their teeth, trying to gain money and notoriety. Lying is a part of human nature that has been with us from the start, and it is an indisputable fact that once humans build someone up, jealousy/envy sets in, and the “idol’ gets torn down again because everyone enjoys seeing the “mighty” fall.
I don’t agree with pedophilia/pederasty, but an allegation is not proof, and we are supposed to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
AUGUSTALLEN28
True and well said.
miller2900
…. very well stated Jaquelope…. and without making an accusation or defending someone that is probably a total stranger to you and a good percentage if not all of the readers here.
Eternal.Cowboy
“we are supposed to be considered innocent until proven guilty”
Innocent until proven guilty means a person is afforded due process. Kevin Spacey is being afforded due process. This article is literally reporting on that process. To the best of my knowledge the court has not started from the presumption of guilt.
Rocinante
Sounds like there are a contingent of people here who don’t want to believe Spacey did it. I know I wish it wasn’t true as I find him to be an amazing and talented actor. However, one person is one thing but multiple people saying similar things makes Spacey look pretty pervy.
Rugby8
Rapp should be embarrassed.
Why was he at an adult party at 2:00am?
Where were his parents? And, why is he LYING???
jjdeg
I could be wrong but if memory serves correct his father was in the other room of Spacey’s apartment.
Fname Optional Lname
Even if Rapp was at the party unaccompanied by an adult (which is not the case) he is not fair game to pedophiles for wanting to be at an event where a Hollywood star is in attendance. You are blaming a teenager for being assaulted by an adult? Victim blaming is just ugly. Why was an adult preying on a teenager is the question that should be asked.
Winsocki
I am not making light of sexual abuse. I was by my baby sitter but I am an adult and not traumatized to go about suing anyone or think I am damaged, especially after so many years passed. I was 5yrs old at the time of abuse. At 14, I would not be partying with adults. If Spacey did not have money there would be no lawsuit. That is a fact.
Eternal.Cowboy
You are in fact being totally dismissive of sexual abuse.
scotty
this is what happens when one swims with sharks.
jt1990
Mr. Spacey never struck me as a homosexual, or even a closeted one. I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised at the allegations tho. Pedophilia is a top credential for those wanting to make it in Hollyweird.
Leo
I think at 14 a young gay boy would have had designs on a man of his stature. I actually had an encounter with a grown man and he wasn’t even an actor of renown.
DHT
Kevin’s initial reaction to the allegation was to come out as gay, thinking that all would be forgiven. That is only because so many other gay men think it’s perfectly okay to prey upon teenagers. And then there are the rest of us, but I am not sure we are the majority.
miller2900
…. DHT you certainly exposed who you are with that blanket statement of yours! BTW DHT, who are you to make such a broad sweeping accusation? Have you had “encounters” with that many men that you think you know the Phycological make-up of the majority of gay men across the country?
Invader7
WTF? NOt all gay men are predators. 93-97% of ALL sexual predators /criminals (per the FBI) are Straight men , you LIAR !!!
cuteguy
In surprised that his ambulance chasing attorneys didn’t advise him to deny this from the get go. Just like they did for Bill Cosby. Or any other rapist monster. That’s why these predatory monsters pay their money hungry attorneys with no conscience all that money.
Just_thom
Again….No means No & I do not support abusive behavior in any shape or form! That being said, what was a 14y/o boy doing at an adult party & where were his parents/guardians?
Coming out in the late 70’s & 80’s, things that were considered “normal’ behavior then in the gay community are no longer accepted as Normal today. During my time back then I was groped, touched, & man handled while of legal age & while alcohol was involved on both sides. 40+ years later I do not recall this harming me in any way, shape. or form. Again…..not appropriate by today’s standards, but normal for that time period.
I also do not understand how this act, if it did happen, impacts any of Kevin Spacey’s past work or accomplishments. Let he who is without sin…….
Inspector 57
“No reason for him [Rapp] to lie.”
“If that many men have come forward, I don’t see how they ALL could be lying.”
“multiple people saying similar things makes Spacey look pretty pervy.”
In Massachusetts in 1692-93, ten girls and young women testified that they had been victimized by village residents who were witches. Based on the children’s and teen girls’ claims, thirteen adults were found guilty and were hanged or stoned to death. Others of the accused died waiting in jail.
I’m pretty sure the girls were lying or mistaken.
That was before social media and before the prevalence of significant financial gain for accusers / alleged victims. So I don’t buy the “[Spacey] must be guilty, because so many people have accused him” or “Why would these guys lie about it?” arguments.
Polaro
My problem is that nothing really happened. I believe Spacey made a pass and was rebuffed. End of encounter. Not sure how that scarred Rapp. He wad appearing on Broadway. He was out partying with adults. I mean, how sheltered was he? Maybe because I’ve met Rapp and he’s a dick… I don’t know.
KRobert57
I do give Kevin Spacey a break here. From all in the know, Kevin is a bottom, a very wholesome bottom, a power bottom even. How does a power bottom sexually assault another man/child to get his penis erect for penetrating the power bottom? Did the 14-year-old find the attention from Spacey, who at the time was a veritable unknown actor, exciting and new? Did the tumescence of the 14-year-old seek to find a warm and wet spot to enter? Is that sexual assault? I find all of this just too messy.
Kevin must take responsibility for his drunken actions.
The 14-year-old has responsibility as well. Why was he there in general, and why was he still there past his curfew? A 14-year-old? No one was showing each other his identification card or passport even, huh?????
I’d leave Kevin Spacey alone, you know those who live in glasshouses?????
Eternal.Cowboy
The number of people here willing to defend Spacey behavior… not deny it but defend it …. is disturbing.