Kevin Spacey thinks he’s a ‘victim’ of Me Too and a ‘resentful’ accuser, court hears
Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexual assault by several men. (Getty Images/Carl Court)
Kevin Spacey’s lawyer has claimed he was a victim of the #MeToo movement, and says the actor was set up by an accuser harbouring “simmering resentment”.
On Thursday, 6 October, the former House of Cards star appeared in a Manhattan federal court to face Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp, who accused the Oscar winner of assaulting him at a party in 1986.
In opening arguments Spacey’s lawyer, Jennifer Keller, alleged that Rapp had made accusations “For attention, for sympathy and to raise his own profile” after Spacey becoming a Hollywood star, saying Rapp’s career didn’t take off in the same way.
“He’s been telling this story to raise his own profile,” she continued.
“He never became the international star Kevin Spacey did. He has been simmering with resentment. It’s not easy to defend this after 30 years.”
Spacey attended the court hearing, with a jury of six men and six women who had been selected earlier in the day, Far Out magazine reported.
Spacey offered his “sincerest apology” to Rapp for any “deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour”, insisting he did not recall the incident.
‘He peaked in 2000’
Keller defended Spacey and told the jury that Rapp “grew resentful” as Spacey’s “star rose”.
“Rent (the musical) was the apex of his career. He peaked in 2000 and grew bitter. So he became an out gay actor. I don’t know if he would have been a leading man anyway.
“[The allegations Rapp made in 2017] was right after the Harvey Weinstein allegations. All sorts of people are worried about being cancelled,” she added.
Spacey, 63, faced judge Lewis Kaplan who previously heard the civil suit against Prince Andrew at the start of this year.
What’s happened so far?
Rapp filed legal action in September 2020 for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
It came after he accused Spacey of sexual misconduct in an interview with Buzzfeed in 2017, during the #MeToo era.
According to Rapp, the incident took place in Spacey’s Manhattan apartment in 1986 when he was 14 and Spacey was 26.
Rapp is seeking compensation for mental and emotional suffering, medical expenses and loss of work. This could lead to $40 million in damages, reports the BBC.
The court case is expected to last two weeks at the Manhattan federal court.
Spacey was previously released on unconditional bail after he plead not guilty to four charges of sexual assault against three men at a London court. He will next stand trial in June 2023.
In November, Spacey was made to pay independent production company Media Rights Capital (MRC) nearly $31 million (£25.5 million). It followed “explosive” sexual assault and misconduct accusations from young crew members at the studio behind House of Cards.
