lawsuits

Another Sexual-Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against X-Men Director Bryan Singer

Bryan Singer
Photo: Andreas Branch/Patrick McMullan

Less than a month after Michael Egan filed a sexual-abuse lawsuit against Bryan Singer, the X-Men director is facing a similar accusation. The new lawsuit is being brought by attorney Jeff Herman, this time on behalf an anonymous British man. Singer and producer Gary Goddard (who was also named in the first case) are accused of sexually assaulting “John Doe No. 117.” The Daily Beast reports the plaintiff chose to remain anonymous for fear of “further psychological injury.” According to the lawsuit, Goddard and Singer met the man for sex when he was a minor and engaged in acts of “gender violence” against him.

Details from the filing allege that Goddard first contacted the then-14-year-old teen via social media, asking for nude photographs and sharing videos of himself masturbating. For the next few years, Goddard allegedly continued the webcam sessions. Later, he allegedly met the plaintiff in person, plied him with alcohol, and “[engaged] him in anal intercourse.” Singer allegedly came in when John Doe was 17 years old, at a London after-party for a Superman movie premiere. According to court filings, the event turned sexual after Singer offered the teen a Quaalude and brought a “large, musclebound man” into the hotel room after the boy asked Goddard and Singer to stop. The complaint alleges Singer asked the teenager to sit on top of him and masturbate, and even attempted to anally penetrate the accuser. The next morning, Singer allegedly contacted John Doe to apologize.  

The suit contends that “only recently [did John Doe] became cognizant that he has suffered psychological and emotional injuries, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the Defendants’ sexual acts. Such injuries are severe, continuing, and permanent.”

As with the previous suit, Singer’s attorney, Marty Singer (no relation), calls the accusations “totally untrue.” He told the Daily Beast that, “Herman’s desperation has led him to fabricate these new anonymous accusations against Mr. Singer, which we will also prove to be completely false.” Marty Singer also suggested, “It is time for the media and public to focus their attention on Mr. Herman’s nefarious motives and tactics which seem to be driven solely by his ‎need to shake down an innocent man like Bryan Singer. We intend to seek sanctions against Mr. Herman for his ‎reckless, unethical behavior.”

Meanwhile, Goddard’s lawyer, Alan Grodin, said that his client denies the claim, noting that it’s “over 10 years old.” “Gary will vigorously defend,” Grodin added. Herman plans to hold a press conference regarding the new accusations at Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday afternoon.

New Sexual-Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Singer