Kevin Spacey Settles Sexual Assault Cases with Three British Men
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has reached an out-of-court settlement in civil claims brought by three British men accusing him of sexual assault. The lawsuits, filed at the High Court in London, alleged that the Hollywood star abused the men between 2000 and 2013. Spacey has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that the incidents were either consensual or did not occur.
Legal Proceedings Halted
Trials were scheduled to begin in October of this year but will now not proceed after all separate lawsuits were paused earlier this month due to an undisclosed agreement reached by the parties involved. A court order published on Thursday, dated 13 March, revealed that case judge Christina Lambert ordered the proceedings to be stayed, noting that all sides had "agreed to the terms of the settlement."
The judge further stated: "By consent, it is ordered that all further proceedings against the defendant in these actions be stayed upon the terms set out in this order and in the confidential schedule." No details regarding the nature of the settlement between Spacey and the accusers have been released to the public.
Background of the Cases
The three men lodged their cases in London's High Court, with two of them having previously given evidence in a criminal trial at Southwark Crown Court in 2023. In that trial, Spacey was acquitted on all charges related to sexually assaulting four men. The 66-year-old actor has repeatedly denied accusations of sexual misconduct, insisting that the events in question were either consensual or fabricated.
Sexual assault allegations against Spacey, a prominent figure in Hollywood and former artistic director at The Old Vic theatre in London from 2004 to 2015, first emerged in 2017. These allegations led to his removal from high-profile projects, including the TV drama House of Cards and the movie All the Money in the World.
Additional Claims and Responses
During a hearing earlier this month, the barrister representing the three men informed the High Court that seven other individuals who allege they were sexually assaulted by Spacey wished to give evidence. One of the three claimants, Ruari Cannon, who waived his right to anonymity, alleges that Spacey assaulted him in 2013 at an event related to a production of Tennessee Williams's play Sweet Bird Of Youth.
Spacey's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the settlement, while a spokesperson for the claimants' lawyers declined to comment. This settlement marks another chapter in the legal challenges faced by Spacey, following a civil lawsuit in the US that was dismissed by a jury in 2022 and his acquittal in the London criminal trial the following year.
The allegations have had a significant impact on Spacey's career and public image, with the actor facing ongoing scrutiny despite his denials and previous legal victories.
