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Two Well-Known TV Executives Named in Lawsuits Alleging Sexual Abuse

Apr 22, 2014  •  Post A Comment

Two Hollywood executives well-known in the TV industry have been named in several sex abuse lawsuits filed by one individual, reports the Associated Press.

"Monday's lawsuits were filed in federal court in Hawaii against former Fox television executive Garth Ancier, theater producer Gary Wayne Goddard, and David A. Neuman, a former television executive with Current TV and Disney," the story reports.

The report notes: "The allegations in the latest lawsuits filed by Michael Egan III are substantially similar to his legal action against ['X-Men' director Bryan] Singer. That lawsuit accuses the director of abusing him between the ages of 15 and 17 in Los Angeles and Hawaii."

The AP adds: "Ancier did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment. Neuman could not be reached for comment. Phone numbers associated with him have been disconnected, and he did not immediately respond to a message sent through the social networking site LinkedIn."

Goddard's attorney Alan Grodin did respond to the AP, writing in a statement: "Based on what we have heard, the allegations are without merit. Once we have seen the complaint we will respond appropriately."

According to a Reuters account of this story, Egan, "who was an aspiring teen actor in Los Angeles," alleges that "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."

The Reuters story adds: "In a news conference on Monday [April 21, 2014], 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 Future Past' film will open in U.S. theaters next month."

The Reuters story also says: "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 … ."

Each of the three civil lawsuits against Ancier, Goddard and Neuman alleges "four counts including battery and assault, requesting both compensatory and punitive damages," says the Reuters article, adding, "[Egan's attorney] Herman said they will be asking for monetary damages over $10 million, which will be decided by a jury if the case is admitted in court."

Ancier, 56, has been president of NBC Entertainment, entertainment president of Fox Broadcasting, president of Disney Television, chairman of The WB, EVP of programming for Turner Broadcasting and president of BBC America. He also co-created the syndicated "The Ricki Lake Show," which ran from 1993 to 2004.

The Reuters report adds: "Neuman was formerly the president of Walt Disney TV and chief programming officer at CNN, according to LinkedIn, and is the president and executive producer of Blackrock Productions."

garth ancier.pngGarth Ancier

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