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Kevin Spacey did not sexually abuse fellow actor Anthony Rapp in the 1980s, jury finds | US News


Actor Kevin Spacey was not held liable in a civil trial that claimed he sexually abused a 14-year-old boy in the 1980s.

The Hollywood star was sued in a civil case by stage and screen actor Anthony Rapp over an alleged 1986 incident following a party in Spacey’s New York apartment.

Rapp, now 50, was 14 at the time, and Spacey was 26. Space has “explicitly denied” the charges.

Photo by: NDZ / STAR MAX / IPx.2022.5 / 6 / 22.Anthony Rapp at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on May 6, 2022.
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Anthony Rapp pictured in May

Rapp’s attorney, Richard Steigman, urged jurors to charge Spacey for attempting to harass his client. He accused Spacey of lying in the witness stand.

But Jennifer Keller, Spacey’s attorney, told the Star Trek: Discovery star Rapp jury that created the encounter and said they should dismiss his claims.

Kevin Spacey is cross-examined by Richard Steigman in Anthony Rapp's civil sexual abuse case against Spacey in this courtroom sketch from the trial in New York, U.S., October 18, 2022 by Judge US district Lewis Kaplan chaired.  REUTERS / Jane Rosenberg
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A court sketch shows Kevin Spacey being cross-examined during the New York trial

Rapp testified in court, Spacey climbed on top of him on the bed and pressed his groin against Rapp’s hip until he could twist freely.

Spacey denied the allegations on the stand – and said he was never alone with Rapp.

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Ms. Keller offered several theories as to why Rapp might lie, including a desire for attention or jealousy of Spacey’s acting success.

“Mr Rapp is getting more attention in this trial than he has in his entire acting life,” she said.

Both actors testified for days at the three-week trial. The lawsuit seeks $40 million in damages.

The ruling in Manhattan federal court concludes a trial that grew out of the #MeToo movement.

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