A man who has sued X-Men film-maker Bryan Singer claiming he had raped him as a teenager named three more Hollywood executives in lawsuits, alleging sexual abuse and rape and seeking damages exceeding $10 million.
Michael Egan, 31, who was an aspiring teen actor in Los Angeles, said television executives Garth Ancier and David Neuman and entertainment firm executive Gary Goddard were part of an underage sex ring in Hollywood in late 1999 and 2000 that had abused Egan.
A representative for Goddard said he was out of the country currently. Goddard will “review the complaint and respond appropriately. Based on what we understand the allegations to be, the complaint is without merit,” the representative said.
In a news conference on Monday, Egan was accompanied by his mother Bonnie Mound and attorney Jeff Herman. He told reporters that he had faced backlash since last week when he filed his lawsuit against Singer, whose X-Men: Days of the Future Past film will open in US theatres next month.
Egan alleged that he was induced or coerced into sexual activity at infamous and degenerate parties
“Going through this and being attacked, you see why victims don’t come forward. It doesn’t make it a very pleasant thing to stand up to,” Egan said. He did urge other victims to come forward, saying: “We have people that can protect us now.”
In the lawsuits against each individual, Egan alleged that he was induced or coerced into sexual activity at “infamous and degenerate parties” hosted by former entertainment business executive Marc Collins-Rector, a registered sex offender.
Egan also alleged that the sexual abuse continued on trips to Hawaii, where he said he was inappropriately touched and made to consume alcohol and drugs, and forced into sex.
The three civil lawsuits against Ancier, Goddard and Neuman were filed on Monday in federal court in Hawaii. Each suit has four counts including battery and assault, requesting both compensatory and punitive damages.