US federal court judge Lewis Kaplan has rejected Kevin Spacey’s request to dismiss the civil lawsuit in which Anthony Rapp accuses him of sexual assault in 1986, for having touched the “private parts” of the young man. The alleged episode at a party hosted at the House of Cards actor’s Manhattan home and Rapp was just 14 years old.
According to Reuters, on Monday, the judge of the Federal Court of the State of Manhattan considered that there is a “genuine dispute of the facts” and, therefore, the case will even go to justice. Spacey can answer in court for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, but not sexual assault; the lawsuit cannot move forward due to the statute of limitations for reporting these types of crimes.
Reuters says Spacey’s lawyer has not publicly reacted to the court’s decision. However, during the process, the 62-year-old actor has “categorically” denied Rapp’s accusations. The latter’s representative also declined to comment on the decision.
In the complaint filed, the Star Trek actor says Spacey put him on a bed and lay on top of him. The statement was made under oath.
Kevin Spacey is already being charged with other sexual assault offences.
Kevin Spacey charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men
Source: Observadora
