80-year-old Star Trek: The Original Series actor George Takei has been accused of sexual assault by former actor and model Scott R. Brunton, who claims that he was 23 at the time of the alleged assault.
Brunton, now 59, recently told The Hollywood Reporter about his experience: "It is one of those stories you tell with a group of people when people are recounting bizarre instances in their lives, this always comes up. I have been telling it for years, but I am suddenly very nervous telling it."
Bruton, who was working as a waiter in 1981 and starting his career as a commercial actor, met Takei one evening at Grek's Blue Dot bar. Brunton claims that they exchanged numbers, and that they would call one another from time to time. According to Brunton, he was invited to Takei's condo, and here's what he recounts:
"We have the drink and he asks if I would like another. And I said sure. So, I have the second one, and then all of a sudden, I begin feeling very disoriented and dizzy, and I thought I was going to pass out. I said I need to sit down and he said sit over here and he had the giant yellow beanbag chair. So I sat down in that and leaned my head back and I must have passed out.
The next thing I remember I was coming to and he had my pants down around my ankles and he was groping my crotch and trying to get my underwear off and feeling me up at the same time, trying to get his hands down my underwear. I came to and said, 'What are you doing?!' I said, 'I don't want to do this.' He goes, 'You need to relax. I am just trying to make you comfortable. Get comfortable.' And I said, 'No. I don't want to do this.' And I pushed him off and he said, 'OK, fine.' And I said I am going to go and he said, 'If you feel you must. You're in no condition to drive.' I said, 'I don't care I want to go.' So I managed to get my pants up and compose myself and I was just shocked. I walked out and went to my car until I felt well enough to drive home, and that was that."
THR talked with four of Brunton's longtime friends, who said that he had told them about his experience with Takei "years ago". Bruton said that he met up with Takei "years later" during the actor's book tour visit in Portland. He considered sharing the story with the media before but he didn't have the confidence that anyone would believe him. "Who's going to believe me? It's my word against his," Brunton said.
However, the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal, as well as Takei's comments on the allegations made against Kevin Spacey, gave him the confidence to speak up. "Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight — that is a deflection," Takei commented on Spacey's letter of apology, which concluded with Spacey admitting he was gay.
I don't want anything from him but an apology," Brunton said. "I am sure he'll disown all this, I don't know, maybe not."
George Takei has posted a response on his Facebook page:
Friends,
I'm writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Brunton. I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them.
The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do. But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment.
Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago. But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful.
Brad, who is 100 percent beside me on this, as my life partner of more than 30 years and now my husband, stands fully by my side. I cannot tell you how vital it has been to have his unwavering support and love in these difficult times.
Thanks to many of you for all the kind words and trust. It means so much to us.
Yours in gratitude,
George
We still don't know who's actually telling the truth. The commenters on Takei's fan page seem divided about the accusations.
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