Bryan Singer Hit With New Sex Abuse Lawsuit From A Brit

As many had expected after Michael F. Egan sued Bryan Singer claiming sex abuse (and as his lawyer promised), other accusers have emerged – whether they have valid claims or not. Now a new suit has been filed against the X-Men director, this time from a British man who also names writer/producer Gary Goddard.

THR reports that Goddard first got to know the accuser via social media in 2003 when he was 14. That resulted in nude webcam sessions when he was 15. The young man then alleges that when they were 15 they they lay in bed naked together in a London hotel room, and they had sex when he was 16.

Singer is brought into the suit as it’s alleged that he ‘had sex with the plaintiff at a Superman after afterparty in a London hotel room when the plaintiff was 17… The boy resisted, the suit continues, but Goddard brought in a “large, musclebound man” who smacked the teenager around, holding him while Singer grabbed him and Goddard, naked on the bed, watched. Singer then allegedly attempted to rape the plaintiff.’

Both Goddard and Singer have strenuously denied the claim. Singer’s lawyer issued a statement saying, ‘After the substance of (attorney Jeff Herman’s) previous defamatory and fabricated filing in Hawaii was disproved based on unassailable evidence, Mr. Herman’s desperation has led him to fabricate these new anonymous accusations against Mr. Singer, which we will also prove to be completely false.’

Goddard’s lawyer meanwhile adds, ‘It is a sad indictment on society that when once spurious claims making false, serious and highly damaging allegations have been made – especially where compensation is sought – that other similar claims may follow. The allegations made against Mr. Goddard are vehemently denied and will be vigorously defended at any trial of these matters and Mr. Goddard is entirely confident that he will be fully vindicated.’

There is an oddity surrounding the suit though, as while all the events took place in the UK, it’s being filed in California. Part of the reason is that it would be impossible to prosecute most of the consensual acts in the UK, as the age of consent is 16 in Britain. However the lawsuit alleges that ‘the California age of consent, 18, should apply because Singer and Goddard allegedly formulated their sexual plans regarding the teen while in California. In addition, the federal age, also 18, assertedly applies to travel from the U.S. for sexual purposes.’

It’s also true that the lawsuit seeks only a monetary award, while in the UK it’s difficult to launch a civil case that doesn’t involve criminal charges having been filed in any way (where both in Britain and the US, the burden of proof is much higher).