Years after first going public with an alleged sexual assault by Kevin Spacey in the 1980s, Star Trek Discovery star Anthony Rapp is finally taking the House of Cards actor to court.
“By reason of the foregoing, plaintiff, ANTHONY RAPP, sustained psychological injuries, including but not limited to, severe emotional distress, humiliation, fright, anger, depression and anxiety; a severe shock to his nervous system; and has been caused to suffer mental anguish, emotional and psychological damage as a result thereof, and, upon information and belief, some or all of these injuries are of a permanent and lasting nature; and plaintiff, ANTHONY RAPP, has been forced to abstain from the duties of his vocation, and has and/or will become obligated to expend sums of money for medical expenses,” reads the explicit six-claim complaint filed Wednesday in New York state court (read it here).
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Rapp filed the verified complaint with an unidentified fellow plaintiff. Both teens at the time of the alleged assaults, Rapp and the monikered “C.D.” are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from much-accused Stacey.
“Kevin Spacey sexually abused Mr. Rapp and another gentleman, who needs to remain anonymous, when they were 14 years old,” the plaintiffs’ lawyer Peter Saghir told Deadline today. “Spacey’s conduct was not only improper and abusive, but it was a crime,” added the Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf attorney, who is representing the duo with Ben Rubinowitz.
“In bringing this action under New York’s Child Victims Act, Mr. Rapp, who previously came forward to Buzzfeed about the abuse, and our client who needs to remain anonymous have taken the first step to hold Spacey accountable,” Saghir went on to say. “This lawsuit sends a strong message that no matter how wealthy, powerful or famous you may be you are not above the law. Our clients are looking forward to their day in Court and to obtaining justice for a crime that never should have happened.”
Despite numerous claims and court cases since one-time Precious Sons actor Rapp first revealed in October 2017 his 1986 encounter with Spacey at the old actor’s apartment, the latter has yet to be convicted on any of the previous allegations. After expressing that he was “horrified” by Rapp’s story and had no memory of the situation, Spacey at the time unsuccessfully tried to flip the script on the story by announcing that he was deciding to “live as a gay man.”
In July 2019, after the victim declined to take the stand, Massachusetts prosecutors dropped an indecent assault and battery case where Spacey was accused of getting an 18-year old drunk at a Nantucket bar in 2016 and groping him. Late last year, with a settlement secured, Spacey and the estate of an anonymous massage therapist, who accused the actor of sexual assault in 2017, had the deceased’s lawsuit against the once ubiquitous actor dismissed in LA.
Spacey is still under investigation by the LA County D.A. and law enforcement authorities in the UK for sexual misconduct claims.
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Ok, I have zero doubt that Kevin did these things. Kevin tried to manhandle of straight friend of mine about 15 years ago in a Burke Williams SPA. Thankfully my friend laughed because it was so absurd, then proceeded to loudly say, “Kevin Spacey! What are you doing, Kevin Spacey!” That did the trick. Another friend who randomly ended up with a small group, including Kevin, went clubbing about 10 years ago and Kevin, without so much as a request, decided that it was completely appropriate to grab him and stick his tongue down his throat out of the blue. Again, this friend, who is gay, laughed it off but it’s a pattern that we’ve all heard about Kevin that has gone on for decades.
My only issue is the description of the psychological damage. I never want to diminish other’s pain but as a trauma survivor (violence, not sexual), I find this a little dubious when the claim is sustained physical and mental anguish.
Rapp mentioned this at the very beginning of the Kevin Spacey spiral, and stated that he simply wanted to come forward, and wasn’t interested in legal action. He wanted to make it ok for others to come forward. I really respected that. Seems it’s taken a turn now that Spacey didn’t end up getting terribly punished…legally anyway. I hope Anthony is alright, and he doesn’t end up reliving it all 35 years later. Seems like an awful lot of pain to carry around.
Rapp made the initial claims via social media just before the launch of star trek discovery, in which he is a cast member. Funny how the law suit is put in motion just before the new season of the show is about to start!
So Rapp was 14 when this happened, which puts his allegations around 1985 (Rapp was born in 1971, according to IMDB). Surprised it took 35 years to bring this to court. Not saying it didn’t happen, or that it didn’t cause Rapp years of repressed issues, but 35 years still seems like a long time to wait to bring charges formally.
You’re very ignorant about childhood trauma. Many if not most victims NEVER come forward and for many it takes decades to reconcile with it.
It is no wonder why kids don’t talk to their parents about trauma of this nature.
Couldn’t agree more. This is ludicrous. And one must ask “Where were the parents of these 14 year olds?”
Probably now because he’s not been making money during quarantine.
35 years ago was a different time and different place. This kind of evil is so horrible, nobody would believe such things happened. Still could not have been easy to go through with it. It will be difficult to impossible to prove in court unless he has some very good evidence.
That’s not how trauma works.
Totally agree. Here’s hoping Frank Underwood beats the Rapp.