Disgraced former “House of Cards” star Kevin Spacey’s lawyers demanded that the accuser’s cell phone be turned over to the defense during a hearing on sexual assault charges in Nantucket, Mass. on Monday.
Spacey pleaded not guilty to charges of groping an 18-year-old busboy at a Nantucket bar during the summer of 2016 in an arraignment in January. His lawyer dismissed the felony sexual assault charges as “patently false.”
Nantucket District Court Clerk Magistrate Brian Kearney issued a criminal complaint of indecent assault and battery against Kevin S. Fowler, also known as Kevin Spacey on Dec 20, 2018. In the complaint, the victim told police Spacey allegedly bought him drinks after he got off work at Club Car bar. Spacey reportedly asked the teen about his penis size. The report claims that Spacey then tried to convince him to come back to his house for an after-party, before reaching through his pants and touching the teen.
Spacey’s lawyer already persuaded Judge Thomas Barrett to order the teen to preserve all data from his cell phone for six months following the July 7, 2016 incident. According to police, the busboy exchanged numerous text messages and Snapchat videos with his then-girlfriend about his interactions with Spacey at the Club Car bar, but never specifically mentioned the alleged assault. The judge also ordered the bar to hand over surveillance footage taken at the time of the alleged encounter.
Spacey’s career fell apart following a slew of sexual assault and harassment allegations in November 2017.
Netflix killed off his character and fired Spacey in the wake of multiple sexual harassment claims from former and current “House of Cards” production staff.
According to the Boston Globe, the victim’s family have not filed a lawsuit, but are being represented by Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who is well known for representing hundreds of clergy sex abuse victims.
The charge carries penalties of up to five years in prison or up to two-and-a-half years in jail and would require Spacey to register as a sex offender.
Spacey, who wore glasses and a gray suit in court, did not speak during the hearing and reportedly had no comment to media at the courthouse. His presence came as a surprise, considering Spacey was not required to attend.
