Gary Busey admitted he purposely groped a woman’s buttocks while posing with fans at a New Jersey horror convention in 2022, pleading guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on Thursday.
The 81-year-old actor entered the plea during a virtual hearing, admitting he touched the woman for his own gratification. “You understand now, and you knew then that that was not appropriate. It was wrong, correct,” a prosecutor asked Busey. “Yes, very much,” he responded.
The incident occurred at the semi-annual Monster-Mania Con in Camden, New Jersey in August 2022. While posing with fans Busey was accused of groping several women, who filed reports with local police. The actor was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree; one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, and one disorderly conduct count of harassment.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges, according to CourtTV. Busey faces between one to five years of probation and fines, and has agreed not to contact the woman. His sentencing is set for Sept. 18.
Throughout the hearing, a disheveled Busey seemed distracted, seemingly having problems with his hearing aid. At one point, he took a swig from a soda can, which earned him a sharp rebuke from the judge.
Busey’s guilty plea comes after he originally claimed the women had made the entire thing up. “None of that happened,” he told TMZ in 2022. “There were a partner, and a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually — but I did not.”
Despite his admission to the unwanted touching, Busey’s attorney still seemed to object to referring to the women as victims. “I disagree with, most respectfully, for identifying the individuals and counts two through five as victims,” the attorney said. “Since those cases are being dismissed — it’s just a technical matter — I don’t think they remain victims if they’re being dismissed.”
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Rolling Stone has reached out to Busey’s attorney for further comment.
From Rolling Stone US
