A federal decide on Monday rejected Kevin Spacey‘s bid to dismiss a civil lawsuit during which fellow actor Anthony Rapp accused the Oscar winner of creating an undesirable sexual advance throughout a celebration at Spacey’s Manhattan residence in 1986, when Rapp was 14.
United States District Choose Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan mentioned there was a real factual dispute about whether or not the now 62-year-old Spacey forcibly touched Rapp’s “intimate elements” to gratify his personal sexual want.
Kaplan mentioned Rapp, 50, who’s searching for compensatory and punitive damages, can pursue claims of battery and intentional infliction of emotional misery. The decide dismissed an assault declare as a result of Rapp introduced it too late.
READ MORE: Demi Moore debuts new boyfriend Daniel Humm
A lawyer for Spacey didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. Spacey has in courtroom papers “categorically” denied Rapp’s accusations.
Rapp’s lawyer Peter Saghir declined to remark.
As soon as amongst Hollywood’s greatest stars, Spacey fell from grace after Rapp accused him of misconduct in October 2017, and extra accusers got here ahead.
Final month, British authorities authorised prison costs towards Spacey for alleged sexual assaults towards three males between 2005 and 2013. Spacey might formally face the fees if he entered England or Wales.
The actor’s awards have included Oscars in 2000 for finest actor in American Magnificence and in 1996 for finest supporting actor in The Normal Suspects. He additionally gained a Tony in 1991 for finest featured actor in a play in Neil Simon’s Misplaced in Yonkers.
READ MORE: Amber Heard’s sister speaks out in her defence after gruelling defamation trial
Netflix dropped Spacey from his starring position in Home of Playing cards after accusations started surfacing, and the collection completed with out him.
Within the alleged 1986 encounter, Spacey grabbed Rapp’s buttocks, lifted him onto a mattress and laid on him earlier than Rapp “wriggled out,” courtroom papers say.
Rapp has mentioned beneath oath there was no kissing, undressing, reaching beneath garments, sexualised statements or innuendo, and the encounter lasted not more than two minutes.
He sued Spacey in September 2020 and invoked the Youngster Victims Act, a New York regulation giving accusers a since-expired window to sue over abuses from a long time earlier.
For those who or somebody you understand is impacted by sexual assault, name 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to their web site. In an emergency, name 000.
For a each day dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our e-newsletter right here.
Hollywood’s lengthy ugly historical past with sexual harassment
