Kevin Spacey at the bar in New York on sexual harassment allegations

Kevin Spacey appeared in a New York court to answer for the sexual assault charge by actor Anthony Rapp, who claims he was molested by the Academy Award winner in 1986 when he was 14.

The 'House of Cards' actor has always denied any allegations, Rapp is seeking compensation of $ 40 million.

The two actors met backstage at a Broadway theater and a week later Spacey invited the boy to dinner with some friends at his Manhattan home.

When the other guests left, according to the indictment, Spacey "groped Rapp", "put him on the bed" and "lay fully clothed, briefly, beside and on top" the 14-year-old who eventually managed to get up and ran away from the apartment.

'American Beauty' star lawyer Jennifer Keller argued in court that there has been no sexual assault and that for years Rapp has been telling "a false story" to the media but "never went to the police. ".

The trial will not focus on sexual assault however as the facts are considered prescribed but the jury, of six men and six women, will have to assess whether there has been "emotional damage".

The actor was the first man to accuse Spacey of sexual harassment in 2017. The star is also on trial in London for sexually assaulting three men between March 2005 and April 2013, when he was director of a theater, and for who pleaded not guilty last July.