Takei denies 1981 sexual assault

George Takei has finally responded to a former model’s claims that said he was sexually assaulted by him almost four decades ago, saying he was “shocked and bewildered” by them.

In a series of tweets, the actor-director responded to Scott R Brunton by saying that he did not even remember Brunton.

He wrote, “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.”

“Those that know me understand that nonconsensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful,” added Takei.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott R Brunton recounted in detail the night of the alleged assault, saying that he woke up to find Takei groping him without his consent.

PHOTO: TONY CENICOLA/THE NEW YORK TIMES George Takei