Anthony Rapp’s Sexual Assault Charges Against Kevin Spacey Dismissed by New York Jury
Actor Kevin Spacey leaves the Central Criminal Court after attending a hearing over charges related to allegations of sex offences, in London, Britain, July 14, 2022. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
A sexual assault lawsuit against Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been dismissed by a New York judge. Anthony Rapp filed the lawsuit, alleging that Mr. Spacey had inappropriately assaulted him at a party in 1986 when he was 14 years old.
In September 2020, Mr. Rapp, who is now 50, filed the complaint with a $40 million (£36 million) damage demand.
The jury concluded on Thursday that Mr. Kevin Spacey did not sexually abuse Mr. Rapp while they were both Broadway players in 1986.
While Mr. Spacey was 26 years old, Mr. Rapp was just 14. Both performers met while performing on Broadway; Mr. Rapp in “Precious Sons” with Ed Harris and Mr. Spacey in a revival of “Long Days Journey Into Night” under the direction of Jack Lemmon.
Prior to the trial beginning and following the conclusion of Mr. Rapp’s attorneys’ case, Judge Lewis Kaplan formally dismissed Mr. Rapp’s claims of assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Only the battery claim was ultimately resolved by the jury.
By Britain’s Crown Prosecuting Service in May, Mr. Spacey had been charged with four charges of sexual assault against three men and one offence of inducing a person to engage in penetrative sexual behavior without consent. He entered a not-guilty plea to the accusations.
In response to the abuse allegations against the actor, the political thriller “House of Cards” had its episode order reduced. Mr. Spacey was sentenced to pay $31 million in damages to MRC, the show’s producer.
Mr. Kevin Spacey is accused in the UK of attacking three men sexually between March 2005 and August 2008 while he resided in London and served as the artistic director of the Old Vic theater. He entered a not-guilty plea.
