‘X-men’ filmmaker slams ‘fabricated’ sex attack claims

LOS ANGELES: A lawyer for "X-Men" director Bryan Singer dismissed as "fabricated" and absurd claims Thursday that the filmmaker sexually assaulted a former child model and aspiring teenage actor.

The lawyer also pledged to counter-sue the 31-year-old alleged victim, who gave details of his allegations dating from 15 years ago at a Beverly Hills press conference.

Flanked by his own attorney, Michael Egan III said the blockbuster director forced him to have sex at parties in California and Hawaii in the late 1990s, when he was 17 years old.

"You were like a piece of meat to these people, they would pass you around between them" at the parties, said Egan, calling his attackers "evil."

But Singer´s lawyer dismissed the "completely fabricated" claims, adding: "We look forward to our bringing a claim for malicious prosecution against Mr Egan and his attorney after we prevail."

The lawsuit is "an attempt to get publicity at the time when Bryan´s new movie is about to open in a few weeks," said attorney Marty Singer, who is not related to the director.

"X-Men: Days of Future Past," starring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Hugh Jackman is due out on May 23 in the United States, and around the world on that date or a few days before. In the lawsuit, Egan alleged that Singer "manipulated his power, wealth and position in the entertainment industry to sexually abuse and exploit the underage plaintiff through the use of drugs, alcohol, threats and inducements.

"He suffered "catastrophic psychological and emotional injuries" because of the abuse, added the 13-page legal document filed Wednesday in Hawaii.