DISGRACED actor Kevin Spacey has vowed to “prove his innocence” after being charged with four counts of sexual assault.
The double-Oscar winner, 62, is wanted back in the UK by British authorities, which will seek formal extradition unless he returns voluntarily.
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He is accused of historic sexual assaults against three young men but can only be formally charged if he returns to Britain.
But in a new statement given to Good Morning America, Spacey has confirmed that he will “voluntarily appear” in the UK.
A spokesman for the House of Cards actor said: “I very much appreciate the Crown Prosecution Service’s statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise.
“While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the U.K. as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”
Sexual misconduct allegations first surfaced against the actor in 2017 by Anthony Rapp, who filed a civil suit in 2020.
Later that year the Metropolitan Police launched a probe after receiving several complaints linked to the star.
A file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service last April and since then further investigations have been carried out.
American Beauty star Spacey was interviewed under caution by the Met in 2019.
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Police last week gave the go-ahead to charge Spacey with four counts of sexual assault on three male complainants, now all in their 30s and 40s.
Four of the charges were said to have taken place in London and one was in Gloucestershire.
He is accused of a fifth count against one of them by allegedly causing them to engage in penetrative sex without consent – which can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The alleged offences date from when Spacey was artistic director of London’s Old Vic between 2004 and 2015.
Three of the sexual assaults are said to have happened in London between 2005 and 2008, and the fourth in Gloucestershire in 2013.
The penetrative sex offence is said to have been carried out in the capital in 2008.
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Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorised criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men.
“He has also been charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The charges follow a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
Spacey was stripped of an International Emmy Award in the wake of the allegations.
His central character in acclaimed Netflix series House of Cards was also killed off after he was axed from the show.
In November last year, it emerged that a US arbitrator ordered Spacey to pay back nearly £24.6 million to the studio that made the hit show.
The payment was ordered for an alleged breach of contract over the sexual harassment claims.
MRC said it lost millions of dollars because it had already started working on the next season, the arbitration papers said.
