Los Angeles — Veteran television actor Stephen Collins is being
investigated by Los Angeles sheriff's detectives after a woman
reported the former 7th Heaven star exposed himself to her in the
early 1980s.
investigated by Los Angeles sheriff's detectives after a woman
reported the former 7th Heaven star exposed himself to her in the
early 1980s.
The department on Wednesday confirmed it opened an investigation
on 9 October after the woman reported the incident to authorities. The
alleged victim was 13 years old when she claims Collins exposed
himself to her in West Hollywood, California, in 1983.
on 9 October after the woman reported the incident to authorities. The
alleged victim was 13 years old when she claims Collins exposed
himself to her in West Hollywood, California, in 1983.
Special Victims Unit detectives are investigating the actor for indecent
exposure and whether he annoyed or molested a child, the Los
Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a news release.
Collins' attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, did not immediately return
phone or e-mail messages. Collins, 67, has not been charged in Los
Angeles or New York.
exposure and whether he annoyed or molested a child, the Los
Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a news release.
Collins' attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, did not immediately return
phone or e-mail messages. Collins, 67, has not been charged in Los
Angeles or New York.
The woman reported the incident two days after New York police
confirmed they had an open investigation into decades-old
allegations that Collins molested a family acquaintance in Manhattan
in the early 1970s. The revelation came after celebrity news site TMZ
disclosed the investigation.
confirmed they had an open investigation into decades-old
allegations that Collins molested a family acquaintance in Manhattan
in the early 1970s. The revelation came after celebrity news site TMZ
disclosed the investigation.
Faye Grant included allegations that her husband molested underage
girls in court filings in their ongoing divorce. Collins filed to divorce his
wife in 2012, and a trial to divide the pair's assets is scheduled for
next month.
girls in court filings in their ongoing divorce. Collins filed to divorce his
wife in 2012, and a trial to divide the pair's assets is scheduled for
next month.
Within hours of TMZ posting its story, two networks announced they
were canceling scheduled re-runs of 7th Heaven , and Collins lost
roles in the upcoming film Ted 2 and this season of the ABC series
Scandal .
were canceling scheduled re-runs of 7th Heaven , and Collins lost
roles in the upcoming film Ted 2 and this season of the ABC series
Scandal .
Long-term pattern of sexual abuse
Grant wrote in a sworn court declaration in Los Angeles last year that
her husband had disclosed he molested at least three young girls. She
wrote that she reported the alleged abuse to Los Angeles police, who
have said they are not actively investigating the actor.
her husband had disclosed he molested at least three young girls. She
wrote that she reported the alleged abuse to Los Angeles police, who
have said they are not actively investigating the actor.
"Stephen admitted that he has engaged in a long-term pattern of
sexually abusing minor children, including sexually molesting three
young girls over a decade ago," Grant wrote in the sworn declaration,
which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in November.
sexually abusing minor children, including sexually molesting three
young girls over a decade ago," Grant wrote in the sworn declaration,
which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in November.
Kaplan, Collins' attorney, has declined to discuss specifics about the
claims, but he has described the accusations as an attempt by Grant
to obtain a more favourable settlement of the couple's divorce. The
filings do not include a denial of the molestation allegations, but
attack Grant's use of them as "an attempt to extort concessions in
settlement" from Collins.
claims, but he has described the accusations as an attempt by Grant
to obtain a more favourable settlement of the couple's divorce. The
filings do not include a denial of the molestation allegations, but
attack Grant's use of them as "an attempt to extort concessions in
settlement" from Collins.
Grant said in a statement last week that he was not trying to obtain
an undue advantage in the divorce proceedings. "This is a deeply sad
situation for everyone involved," Grant wrote. "With regard to the
divorce proceedings, I am seeking no more than that to which I am
legally entitled under the laws of the State of California."
an undue advantage in the divorce proceedings. "This is a deeply sad
situation for everyone involved," Grant wrote. "With regard to the
divorce proceedings, I am seeking no more than that to which I am
legally entitled under the laws of the State of California."
Collins has worked steadily in television and movie roles since the
early 1970s, with appearances in movies such as All the President's
Men, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and recurring roles on series such
as No Ordinary Family, Revolution and Devious Maids after 7th
Heaven concluded its 11-season run in 2007.
early 1970s, with appearances in movies such as All the President's
Men, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and recurring roles on series such
as No Ordinary Family, Revolution and Devious Maids after 7th
Heaven concluded its 11-season run in 2007.
Source - News24
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