When MeToo began in the fall of 2017 with the reporting around Harvey Weinstein’s serial sexual predation, rumors began circulating that additional Hollywood predators should be and would be outed in short order. Anthony Rapp was the first person to come out and put his name to an accusation against Kevin Spacey. Rapp was the tipping point, and dozens of men and boys came forward after Rapp to talk about how Spacey assaulted them, harassed them, raped them. It was never just one victim one time – Spacey has a decades-long history of hurting young men and boys. Because Rapp was brave enough to come forward and tell his story, his bravery emboldened dozens of other victims to come forward.
In recent years, Rapp ended up pressing charges against Spacey using the Child Victims Act, a federal protection which intends to make it easier for victims to come forward years after the initial crimes. Rapp’s accusation was deemed “battery” under the statute, because Spacey (then 26 years old) tried to “seduce,” fondle and kiss a then-14-year-old Rapp. On Thursday, a federal jury found that Spacey was not liable for battery.
A federal jury in Manhattan found Kevin Spacey not liable for battery on Thursday in a civil case brought by the actor Anthony Rapp, who accused Mr. Spacey of climbing on top of him and making a sexual advance more than 30 years ago when Mr. Rapp was 14.
The 11-person jury in the Federal District Court in Manhattan spent less than 90 minutes deliberating over the evidence against Mr. Spacey, who denied the accusation on the stand. The trial hinged on Mr. Rapp’s account of a night in 1986, when, he said, he attended a party at Mr. Spacey’s New York apartment during a Broadway season in which both of them were acting in plays. Mr. Spacey, who was 26 at the time, denied that such an encounter ever occurred.
The jury found that Mr. Spacey did not touch a sexual or intimate part of Mr. Rapp’s, meaning it could not find him liable under the Child Victims Act, a New York State law that allowed Mr. Rapp to bring his claim. The law included a look-back window during which old claims that had already passed the statute of limitations could be revived.
After the verdict was read, Mr. Spacey stood up with tears in his eyes. He hugged his lawyers briefly and shared a longer hug with his assistant. Mr. Rapp was stoic and straight-faced, as he had been through the entire proceeding.
“We’re just grateful that the jury saw the truth,” Jennifer L. Keller, one of Mr. Spacey’s lawyers, said after the verdict.
Richard M. Steigman, one of Mr. Rapp’s lawyers, said, “The jury has spoken.”
Mr. Rapp’s claim was one of the most prominent in the early days of the #MeToo movement, as accusers started to come forward with allegations against high-profile men in the entertainment, political and business worlds. Mr. Spacey quickly experienced career blowback and was ultimately removed from “House of Cards.” The disclosure by Mr. Rapp, which BuzzFeed News published in October 2017, was followed by more than a dozen other sexual misconduct accusations against Mr. Spacey. He has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges in Britain.
It’s completely insane that “you don’t remember it the right way because you were a kid” is a reasonable explanation as opposed to “this horrific moment of abuse was seared into a 14-year-old child’s memory because it was so damaging.” This is why so many victims don’t come forward, plain and simple. I still believe Anthony Rapp, I always believed him. His story was heartbreaking and he was incredibly brave for telling his story and pursuing justice against his abuser. This jury is disgusting.
Things Kevin Spacey did in court: He cried. He apologized for apologizing. He talked about his abusive father. His lawyers characterized Anthony Rapp as "jealous" (at age 14) of Spacey's interest in other men.
The jury sided with Spacey. We've seen this before. https://t.co/Zmfb6PqHTy
— Kat Tenbarge (@kattenbarge) October 20, 2022
Photos courtesy of Instar, David Longendyke / Avalon, Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews / Avalon and Justin Ng / Avalon.
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- ANTHONY RAPP AT THE 11TH ANNUAL RIBBON OF HOPE CELEBRATION PRESENTED BY THE ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES, HELD AT THE LEONARD H. GOLDENSON THEATRE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA. 1 DECEMBER 2007. PICTURES. /,Image: 544115804, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: David Longendyke / Avalon
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- American actor Kevin Spacey departs Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London, England, UK on Thursday 16 June, 2022 where he has been charged with sexual assault.,Image: 700249023, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- American actor Kevin Spacey departs The Old Bailey, London, England, UK on Thursday 14 July, 2022. The actor has been charged with sexual assault.,Image: 707246873, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
You’re amazing Anthony. This world doesn’t give two fs about protecting children.
When I lived in Toronto, back in the 1990s Spacey was filming in the city. My friend was a musician in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and her husband was a good-looking man. They introduced themselves to Spacey after a concert. For weeks afterwards, the husband was literally stalked around town by Spacey. He had to have looked up their address to be able to find them by their home and follow the husband around town. He was completely creeped out but didn’t want to go to the police. I hope one of these cases can finally make it through the courts. As for perceived homophobia, what this is really about is wealthy celebrities having a different standard of justice than us regular folk.
He’s a predator and thinks he can have anything he wants. How gross was he toward your friend’s husband!! 🤮🤮🤮
Great, Hollywood will be starting his redemption arc in 3, 2, 1…
The only way Spacey can make a full comeback is with a defamation case like Depp. Spacey cant do that because he has many past examples of predatory behavior.
Also, this concerns men as well, so he won’t be getting the support of all the sexist males that hate female victims.
I think Depp will slide back with the countersuit. I 100% believe Amber Heard and even if you don’t he’s a drunk mess that alienates everyone he works with.
Maybe not yet – Spacey still has cases in the UK to defend against men who filed claims. He’s also owing money to the production company that produced House of Cards. He’s not out of the woods yet.
I doubt it, because he’s basically the Harvey Weinstein of actors. His predatory behavior has been widely known among both the film and theater industry circles, and dozens of people have accused him of inappropriate behavior.
Depp was personal family drama, but Spacey is a multi-generational global sexual predator who has abused people of all ages for decades.
I think Anthony Rapp is a hero and that Spacey is a deviant predator. I hope that Anthony feels the loves from so many and is healing. Spacey is truly a manipulator and I hope he gets what’s due him and is put in his place.
@Girl_Ninja, ITA. I’ve adored Anthony Rapp forever (ever since he was the friend who went along for the ride in “Adventures in Babysitting!”). But even if it was some John Doe, this is a disgustingly wrong and unjust verdict.
I hope AR knows how many people are pulling for him. And that this whole thing wasn’t in vain— maybe he didn’t “win” according to the jury, but he put an even brighter spotlight on Spacey’s depravity for all the world to see, and be reminded of. I admire him so much.
As for Spacey, special place in hell, etc.
Thank you @girl_ninja and @Lorelei. My heart breaks for Anthony Rapp and all Spacey’s other victims. I am so grateful he came forward. This is all so infuriating. I have no words other than I hope Kevin Spacey rots in hell.
Wonderfully said all! He did such a brave thing coming forward and even if it didn’t end well in court, it mattered.
I am also glad Rapp came forward. Yes, it matters.
They can’t be serious.
Also, I really wish cases involving popular actors wouldn’t be decided by a jury.
just when you think this world couldn’t be any more bonkers. Well done Anthony, I hope Spacey never recovers and if he does, I will be boycotting any and all productions in which he has a hand.
I saw this headline yesterday and just felt so frustrated and disappointed. I absolutely believe Anthony, the system is the problem. I have nothing but admiration for his bravery and being the first to speak publicly, encouraging so many others to come forward. The law may have failed him but he has absolutely made an impact.
It must be so emotionally painful for Anthony to carry such a distasteful memory for the rest of his life. I am no psychologist but I wish there was a way of easing the pain of abuse victims.
There are a lot of ways. One thing I’ve been thinking about is how having people look at you and think only of your being abused is so horrible. It’s pretty much *the* reason I don’t like to talk about my own sexual abuse. Because then you get reduced to that — defined by something horrible that someone else did to you.
I was honestly surprised (and yes, disgusted) by the verdict — I thought it was pretty well established that Spacey is a smug, unrepentant rapist.
Side Note: In a previous life, I was a UGE Spacey fan – this was post Usual Suspects, right around American Beauty era. A college friend of mine knew him from theater days, and swore even back then Spacey was no one you’d want to know. Gay, yes, so I personally would have no romantic chance — but more importantly, a “filthy, awful” human being.
So people knew, even back then.
How do these people keep succeeding? It’s really disheartening.
No wonder people don’t come forth. I was sexually assaulted mutuple times by a family member when I was prepubescent, he only stopped when I got my period. and at his funeral they talked him up like he was the best person that ever lived. It’s really fucked me up, I dont like people touching me now, thanks to him.
@katie thank you for sharing. I am so sorry you were a target of sexual abuse within your own family, where you should have been safe. You sound like a very strong person. Sending good wishes for your continued healing.
I’m so sorry Katie. Hugs from another survivor. I hope you’re able to find healing for yourself. You deserve it.
I am so sorry Katie. You deserve peace, support, and so much more.
Oh, Katie. I am so sorry. 😢😢
Katie, the same thing happened to me. It’s a double violation that even when you let close family know, they just carry on the same way with the abuser. I had to talk directly to my abuser and tell him that they knew. But they are all still in the same family Whatsapp groups chatting away…it’s as though my words/experience don’t exist.
It’s a fucked up level of ongoing trauma.
I try to see how being on the outside has brought me many gifts too (not that I would recommend this way of being on the outside).
You are not alone. Sending strength and love.
Further confirmation that deep down alot of people believe that victims of rape “are asking for it”. This is heartbreaking and sickens me.
Probably according to Whoopi it just wasn’t rape rape.
I feel so sorry for and angry on behalf of all abuse survivors. It is not a justice system.
My neighbor who lives across the street from me is a lighting guy on movie sets and worked on set of a film with Kevin Spacey several years ago. He described him as a total creep and absolute predatory behavior from him. I will always believe Anthony Rapp.
I mean, after Rapp, there were dozens of men that came forward. Even people who claim Rapp was doing this for publicity or money should think hard about that. This isn’t just a bit of smoke, this is a forest on fire. But, well, I expect a Bryan Singer film with Spacey as the lead in a couple of years.
Guys…so nobody saw the part of the story where Rapp was, at the time, starring in a play that had him act out the exact scenario he claimed Spacey did to him. THAT is what made the jury start to doubt that this happened. That and the fact that, even from Rapp’s telling, it wasn’t clear that Spacey either intentionally did that or even knew who Rapp was. He didn’t get Rapp into his bed, as apparently Rapp got in there on his own and without Spacey’s knowledge. So, at best, you have a case of mistaken identity (Spacey assumed Rapp was a paramour bc he was face down in his bed), or an actual case of transposed memories where Spacey actually didn’t do anything. These blanket rushes to judgment reek of homophobia, bc I’ve noticed it’s often men who are accused of assaulting other men than never seem to get benefit of the doubt. Some of you think you’re being allies, but you just found a new convenient outlet for bigotry. This is the same thing that happened with Ricky Martin a month ago. I’m not saying Spacey is innocent of all allegations, and there are quite a lot, but on this one, the jury did the right thing. Awarding $40M to Rapp based solely on his own memories and no other corroborating evidence, especially when there are legitimate doubts over his testimony, would have been a massive miscarriage of justice.
Kevin, is this you?
Run along now.
There are 13 other accusers of you.
Well, unfortunately for this victim, there are legal standards to follow and evidence that needs to be proved. And unfortunately for all victims, unless a rape kit is done immediately, or there is other evidence of a crime, it’s hard to meet that burden of proof. I feel like in this case it wasn’t “could that have happened? Probably” but the law says “do we think this happened beyond a preponderance of doubt?” Meaning, could this have NOT happened? It doesn’t matter what the jury knows in their hearts. The only thing that matters is what their jury instructions were.
Or have the accuser gush big fat tears then go oh gosh darn it what accusations?
@lee no you don’t have to have a rape kit for the accused to be found guilty every single time.
@tan – do you mean the accused? Kevin Spacey thought it was a good time to go on about his white supremacist father and the family abuse he was subject to during his testimony.
@Kevin/dee
“That and the fact that, even from Rapp’s telling, it wasn’t clear that Spacey either intentionally did that or even knew who Rapp was. He didn’t get Rapp into his bed, as apparently Rapp got in there on his own and without Spacey’s knowledge.”
No, Spacey took the victim to the bed and this was always Rapp’s story.
Why did Kevin Spacey apologise in the first place when Rapp first told his story? There were multiple people who soon after the event happened and in the years after recalled what Rapp told them.
Kevin?
Sorry that you are going to get a lot of flack for bringing logic and rationality to a very emotional subject. And this is coming from someone who felt like a pedophile-magnet for most of her life (until I realized that it was not my fault, and that there are some evil people out there).
Kevin has more than 13 accusers hun. Anthony is just one of them.
While you’re here Kevin wanna give a comment on the Sussexes?
Since apparently only Kevin Spacey can actually READ the news reports about a case as it develops, including the introduction of what some of us call “bombshell” testimony, like say, a copy of the script of the play Rapp was in that has the same scene exactly as he claims Spacey would have done, then yeah, I’m Kevin. Hi.
By the way, don’t lump me in with Depp because THAT guy definitely did it.
Hey Kev I asked for commentary on the Sussexes not ur copy and past BS above. U won ur civil case Kev, doing a victory lap is like pretty déclassé. Keep assaulting and crying I guess
@Dee I was with you until you mentioned homophobia.
It’s one thing to argue that there was not enough evidence in this particular case. I can accept that. However, I disagree with the notion that people are being homophobic by supporting Spacey’s victims. We tend to #believewomen on this site, so why shouldn’t we also support men who claim to be abused? If anything, it would be sexist and homophobic to not take male survivors as seriously as we take female survivors.
@Dee : I agree. I, personally, find these abuse cases that are 20 & 30 years old really disturbing. In this case, I’m not sure I believe Rapp. I find it preposterous to claim the abuse all these years later. I realise it may be too traumatic at the time but decades???? The entire tale sounds too *iffy*. I think it was also pointed out that Spacey lived in a loft at the time. Didn’t Rapp claim this happened in a bedroom? There was no bedroom.
Now, do I think Spacey is a good fellow? No. But this case should never have gone to court.
Just my opinion.
“I, personally, find these abuse cases that are 20 & 30 years old really disturbing. In this case, I’m not sure I believe Rapp. I find it preposterous to claim the abuse all these years later. I realise it may be too traumatic at the time but decades????”
you don’t get to put a limit on how long someone needs to heal and come to terms with how they were victimized, and are able to speak out on their abuse. I was r*ped by a guy who was my “friend” and had a huge crush on. we got drunk, I passed out, and he assaulted me. I didn’t see it as such until SEVERAL YEARS later, when I was talking about it to my bf at the time. so, yeah, it might take 20-30 years for some people, and you don’t get to decide that it’s “preposterous” or “too long ago”.
miss me with that sh*t.
Glad you’re here to defend the perpetrators of assault.
Wow, @Renae: that kind of comment is why victims don’t come forward. I didn’t even understand what had happened to me until years later because I was so naive. Because my older brother was killed before I was born, my mom was super protective and sheltered me a lot.
I’m just so furious at some of these comments. Yes, the jury spoke but we all know they don’t always get it right
@Dee, thank you for this comment, because it made me realize exactly why there’s another (sane) poster here who made sure her screenname is “Dee (2).” To make it crystal clear to everyone that she is *not* you.
This comment sounds like my family member who is a prosecutor. What I like to tell her, and everyone else, is that just because the process of law did not find Spacey guilty does not mean he is innocent. When RAINN reports that only 1/15 rapists serve time, that tells me we can do much better.
It’s all too common for people to trivialize abuse when it happens to boys and young men, and it’s often worse when it’s male-male abuse. There’s definitely some homophobia there — gay sex is “icky” and they don’t want to think about it, or they dismiss it because they consider all gays to be sexual deviants and believe that abuse must be the norm.
I hope Anthony knows that there are people who believe him and still support him. And we will not forget what Spacey did to him, and likely many other boys. All we can do now is encourage others to speak up, and make sure Spacey never has a comeback.
It is incredibly brave to have come forward and then to have had to realise a traumatic moment repeatedly for years only to have such a disappointing result in the quest for justice.
But people eventually get their karma. R Kelly skated through his first trial even with video evidence but look where he is now. I hope Anthony eventually sees Spacey facing criminal consequences to his actions, even if it cannot be found now.
The sad thing is, it seems there’s only consequences when the offender is no longer bankable and bringing in big money.
R. Kelly, Bill Cosby. They only faced real consequences when their careers were fading.
I believe Anthony Rapp and I still expected this to be the outcome of the trial. We live in profoundly messed up times.
I don’t see KS having a comeback beyond the dudebro circle, however. He’ll be the token gay MRA, which must sting – a former darling of stage and screen, reduced to such uncultured company.
Maybe he can learn sculpting and do a joint exhibition with Brad Pitt where the press will fete both of them for their amazing new talent while vaguely mentioning that they have overcome past “controversies.”
Does anyone else remember the episode of SVU that AR guest starred in? He accused a former (male) teacher of abuse. I can’t imagine how hard a role that must’ve been for him to play, given what he’s been through…
The American legal system is not equipped to deal with sexual assault. Period. Victims are well aware and that’s why so few report. I have to believe that Anthony Rapp’s goal wasn’t so much a guilty verdict (because anyone who has seen sexual assault trials play out knew that was always unlikely) but to force Spacey through this process – being arrested, being put on trial. Thank you for your service, Anthony. May you find some peace in a job well done.
My heart goes out to Anthony Rapp and the other survivors. Heartbreaking and so incredibly unjust.
Because of Anthony Rapp’s bravery, dozens of other of Spacey’s victims were able to come forward. He knew it was a long shot, but he still came forward. Rapps tweet yesterday after the verdict was brave and heartbreaking.
Anthony Rapp is so brave and I am so dissapointed again in the judical system. But I do take some comfort that Kevin has to cough up 30 million for the arbitration suit he lost against Netflix for House of Cards. He can’t appeal it.
I just hope Netflix does the right thing and sets up a foundation or helps victims who were abused by Kevin over the years. And not just pocket it.
He’s got receipts on some big fish. Amazing how so many witnesses (all of them) have died.
“The jury found that Mr. Spacey did not touch a sexual or intimate part of Mr. Rapp’s, meaning it could not find him liable under the Child Victims Act….”
This is the crux of it. It doesn’t even mean the jury didn’t believe Rapp. The Act extended the statute of limitations with respect to specific sexual offenses already delineated under NY law. It looks like the jury found that Spacey’s conduct didn’t fit under any of the specific sexual offenses the law outlines. It’s disappointing & I applaud Rapp for his bravery coming forward. It’s important, even when (as is often the case) the courts are not a means of achieving justice.
Thank you for this explanation, since I did not follow the case.
I applaud Rapp for coming forward and hope that potential victims of similar crimes continue to seek redress.
Thank you Anthony
I was doing a guest spot on a TV show back in the aughts, and another guest actor who’d worked with KS said that KS would kill his own grandmother to get ahead. I’m guessing he didn’t mean it literally? but it’s clear that he thought KS was evil.
Please re/read the 2017 Buzzfeed interview with Anthony Rapp when he first made his accusations to counter some of the victim blaming in the comments.
also John Barrowman who was a witness for the defence – it makes Spacey look terrible. Check out the article on queerty. Rapp is gay too.
I am queer too so miss me with that homophobia bs. Spacey has form and is an abuser.
Rapp affected PTSD symptoms aqualified psychiatrist later found he didn’t have. The “face value” evaluation he took initially showed “elevated” trauma levels that were so disturbingly high HIS OWN LEGAL had him take more rigorous tests to cover their bases. Guess what? The more rigorous tests didn’t find any PTSD and in fact indicated Rapp showed many symptoms of NPD. Add that to the many holes in his story, and it’s clear he played all of you. But you don’t have to accept it now. Wait till his own accusers come forward and then decide what you believe.
Lol what are the names of these psychiatrists?
The NPD was a diagnosis given by Spacey’s lawyers to discredit Rapp.
You are literally parroting what Spacey’s lawyers said to discredit Rapp. From an October 13 Buzzfeed article:
Lisa Rocchio, a clinical and forensic psychologist who examined Rapp in January 2021 and testified about her findings, said multiple tests showed he met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. His symptoms were “absolutely” consistent with the effects of childhood sexual abuse, she said.
But Spacey’s lawyers have argued that Rapp made his allegations “to raise [his] profile” and could have faked PTSD symptoms as a way of “gaining sympathy” and respect from his peers.
They also suggested he has used his skills as an actor in order to convince others his trauma is real. Rocchio confirmed Rapp had “tears in his eyes” during points of the psychological evaluation, but Chase Scolnick, another one of Spacey’s lawyers, cast doubt on his emotional response.
“Mr. Rapp, you understand, is an actor, right?” Scolnick asked Rocchio during cross-examination.
Much of the defense’s questioning has surrounded why decades passed before Rapp spoke out publicly about the alleged assault. They particularly emphasized that Rapp didn’t tell his therapist until shortly before his story became public, but Rapp said this was because his appointments were infrequent and focused specifically on his relationship with his now-husband. This wouldn’t actually be unusual, according to Rocchio, who confirmed when asked by Rapp’s lawyers that the “phenomenon of delayed disclosure in cases of childhood sexual abuse” is quite common.
You sure u ain’t part of the Depp fan club? I guess allyship only extends to ur own personal tastes? Oh what other victims of Spacey are there – none from ur read of the situation. If u hug one assaulter u might as well hug both Dee who is not Dee 2.