Kevin Spacey found not guilty in civil case accusing him of sexually abusing Anthony Rapp in the 1980s

Actor Kevin Spacey has been found not guilty in a civil case in which he is accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in the 1980s.

The Hollywood star was sued in a civil case by stage and film actor Anthony Rapp over an alleged incident in 1986 following a party in Spacey’s New York apartment.

Rapp, now 50, was 14 at the time and Spacey was 26. Spacey has “categorically rejected” the allegations.

Rapp’s lawyer Richard Steigman had asked the jury to make Spacey pay for attempting to abuse his client. He accused Spacey of lying on the witness stand.

But Jennifer Keller, a lawyer for Spacey, told jurors that Star Trek: Discovery star Rapp fabricated the encounter and said they should reject his claims.

Rapp testified in court that Spacey climbed on top of him on a bed and pressed his groin against Rapp’s hip until he was able to break free.

Spacey denied the allegations on the witness stand – and said he was never alone with Rapp.

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Ms. Keller put forward several theories during the trial as to why Rapp might have lied, including a desire for attention or jealousy of Spacey’s acting success.

“Mr. Rapp is getting more attention in this process than in his entire acting career,” she said.

Both actors testified for several days during the three-week trial. The lawsuit seeks $40 million in damages.

The ruling by the federal court in Manhattan ends a trial that began in #Me too Movement.