Kevin Spacey Is Cleared of Anthony Rapp’s Battery Claim
In a written statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Spacey apologized to the three women who claimed in a civil suit that he sexually assaulted them years ago. He wrote “I regret that I have caused any distress or trauma to these women by my alleged actions. I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I apologize.”
In the statement, Spacey also apologized to the woman accusing him of grabbing her breast, saying the statement was “a complete lie she would like me to believe, as she lies every day.”
“I never intended to cause her any distress by engaging in acts of affection or physical contact. I also would never intentionally harass anyone on the basis of their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or another characteristic,” Spacey said in the statement.
Spacey also apologized to the woman who alleged he pulled her breast and tried to kiss her in the 1980s, saying the two had “a professional relationship at the time of her alleged assault.” He said their relationship ended, but he “was deeply moved by her story which I heard without her knowledge or consent.”
In his statement, the actor wrote, “She later told friends, and I did not correct her, that her claims were an attempt to extort money from me.”
Spacey’s statement comes nearly a month after Anthony Rapp said Friday that he told Spacey of his concerns that he was the victim of sexual misconduct in 1978. Rapp, who is gay, told The Hollywood Reporter that Spacey approached him in his apartment, grabbed his crotch and tried to forcibly kiss him.
Rapp said he told Spacey, “I don’t want to do this anymore, I’m sorry.” He told Spacey two days later that he felt “violated” and was unable to say good-bye to him.
Rapp said he told his friends about Spacey’s actions and was able to get help from the Los Angeles Police Department. Four years later, Rapp