Star Trek actor and social activist George Takei is facing sexual assault charges from an alleged 1981 encounter with a former model and actor.
Scott R. Brunton told The Hollywood Reporter in a report filed Friday that he was groped by Takei, now 80, at the actor's Los Angeles condominium.
"This happened a long time ago, but I have never forgotten it," Brunton said, adding, "I just felt really betrayed. I thought I was a friend and here I am later, just another piece of meat."
Takei denied the allegations in a series of tweets Saturday.
Friends,
I'm writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Bruton. I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them. /1
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017The 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. /2
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment. /3
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
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. /4
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
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. /5
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
"Friends... I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them," he wrote. "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."
Brunton said he met Takei, who came out as a gay man in 2005, when he was a 23-year-old waiter and aspiring model/actor. Brunton claimed he went out with Takei after breaking up with his boyfriend at the time and the two ended up at Takei's condominium.
After a second drink, Brunton said he began "feeling very disoriented and dizzy" and eventually "passed out" in a beanbag chair.
"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," Brunton said. "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."
Brunton said he composed himself and left.
THR said it spoke to four longtime friends of Brunton who said that he had confided in them about the Takei encounter years ago.
Brunton said he was inspired to speak out after Takei made a statement against Kevin Spacey when the House of Cards star was charged with harassing actor Anthony Rapp.
"When power is used in a non-consensual situation, it is a wrong," Takei said at the time. "Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight — that is a deflection. They do so because they have the power, and they chose to abuse it."
Brunton said he found Takei's response infuriating. "I don't want anything from him but an apology," Brunton said.
