Actor Kevin Connolly has denied a report in the Daily Beast that he sexually assaulted a costume designer at a closing party in 2005.
The media outlet reported Wednesday that Gracie Cox alleges that Connolly led her to a VIP area during the “Gardener of Eden” party and sexually assaulted her.
Connolly, best known for her role on HBO’s “Entourage,” is represented by Martin Singer. In a statement, Singer’s firm said it denies the allegation.
“Kevin strongly supports victims of sexual assault and believes that their claims should always be heard,” the firm said. “As someone who has worked in this industry for four decades, he has treated people with nothing but respect and has maintained a stellar reputation. Therefore, he was completely shocked to learn of Gracie Cox’s allegations of a farewell party in 2005. The incident with Ms. Cox was consensual and categorically denies any claims that it was an assault. “
Cox was an assistant costume designer on the film, which Connolly directed. She told the Daily Beast that Connolly flirted with her on set. At the farewell party, she said that Connolly brought her to the VIP area, and once they were alone he began to kiss her. According to his account, he took her to a booth and sexually assaulted her.
“There really was no possibility in my mind to object or resist,” he told the publication. “It just happened so fast. I froze and was in shock. “
Cox was working for Amy Westcott, the costume designer on the project. When she left the party, she met Westcott and told her what happened. Westcott confronted Connolly, according to the report. Westcott confirmed this to The Daily Beast. Two crew members told the publication that they also witnessed Westcott facing Connolly.
Four of Cox’s friends also told the Daily Beast that she had told them about the assault in the days that followed.
In his statement, Connolly acknowledged the lack of “professionalism” regarding the incident.
“Kevin fully understands Amy’s discontent with the consensual act that occurred between Kevin and Gracie 15 years ago, after production ended and they were no longer working on the film together,” the attorneys’ statement said. “Kevin acknowledges the lack of professionalism on his part, but flatly denies that it was not a consensual mutual encounter.”
Cox told the Daily Beast that he contacted attorney Gloria Allred about his allegations in 2017, but that Allred refused to take the case because the statute of limitations had expired.