UK: Anthony Rapp, an actor, claimed that Kevin Spacey had unwelcome sexual relations with her in 1986, when Rapp was 14 years old. On Monday, Spacey apologized to Rapp in court.
Rapp, now 50, filed a lawsuit against Spacey in 2020 for battery and intentional emotional distress. Earlier this month, Rapp testified that a drunk Spacey, who was 26 at the time and working on Broadway, pounced on him at a party in Spacey's Manhattan apartment.
Rapp, who was just starting his Broadway career at the time, claimed that he was able to "get my way out", but the ordeal frightened him.
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Earlier on Monday, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed Rapp's claim for emotional distress but upheld the battery claim.
In federal court in Manhattan, Spacey testified on his behalf, claiming that the allegation was "false" and that he had never been with Rapp. He claimed in court that he was "shocked" when Rapp made his claim public in a 2017 BuzzFeed article.
Following publication of the article, Spacey issued a statement in which he admitted to being gay and apologized to Rapp for any inappropriate actions.
Spacey said Monday that he now regrets his apology.
Spacey said, "I learned a lesson: never apologize for something you didn't do." "I'm absolutely sorry for my statement," he continued.
Spacey wept bitterly and expressed regret that her decision to come out was seen as an attempt to divert attention from Rapp's allegations of abuse.
“I would never have done anything to harm the gay community,” he declared. “I am so sorry,” I said.
Spacey is expected to face cross-examination when the trial resumes on Tuesday.
Rapp, who played Rent on Broadway, sued Spacey in November 2020, seeking $40 million in compensation.
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During cross-examination last week, Spacey's lawyer questioned the memory of Rapp's 1986 encounter and asked him why he said this in the bedroom when Spacey was living in a studio apartment at the time.
Spacey received Oscar nominations for her roles in The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, but her career largely ended after more than 20 men accused her of sexual misconduct.
He was fired from the House of Cards political drama on Netflix, and as Christopher Plummer took over the part of Jay Weeks before the film's 2017 release, Paul Getty appeared in All the Money in the World.
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After pleading not guilty to five sex offense charges stemming from the alleged assaults between 2005 and 2013, Spacey will stand trial in London the following year.
