03-04-2025
Gary Busey legal troubles continue over claims from the 2022 Monster-Mania in Cherry Hill
When several women claimed Gary Busey sexually harassed them in Cherry Hill in 2022, the actor denied wrongdoing and asked police officers to relay his apologies to his accusers, a court record says.
But two of the women are still waiting to hear from the Hollywood star — in response to a lawsuit they filed against him last year.
Busey, 80, is accused of grabbing the buttocks at least two female fans during a photo shoot at a Monster-Mania convention, according to a probable cause statement for criminal charges against him.
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He also allegedly placed his face near another woman's breast and 'asked her where she got them, before attempting to unlatch her bra strap,' the statement claims.
When contacted by police over the women's accusations, the statement says, Busey 'initially denied groping anyone before asking detectives to apologize to the victims, then asking detectives to talk the victims out of pursuing complaints."
It alleges he also told police 'that sometimes it is possible to accidentally touch someone in a specific body part.'
Busey, a resident of Malibu, appeared by video in a Camden courtroom for a March 24 hearing on the criminal charges. Through an attorney he pleaded not guilty to five counts of criminal sexual contact and noted a pending application for pre-trial intervention.
But court records show Busey has not answered the women's civil suit, which was filed in Camden Superior Court in August 2024.
The women, identified only as New York residents J.E. and A.D., allege that they were 'sexually, emotionally and psychologically abused' by Busey. It contends the actor 'also sexually assaulted additional individuals' at the show in August 2022.
Busey, an Oscar nominee for the title role in The Buddy Holly Story in 1979, came to Cherry Hill for Monster-Mania, a weekend convention intended particularly for fans of horror films. The event typically draws a free-spirited crowd, with many participants in macabre costumes.
Notice of the suit was served Sept. 4, 2024, to the actor's address, where it was accepted by his son, actor Jake Busey, a court record says.
The women's attorney, Christine Lafferty of Cherry Hill, on Nov. 11 asked Superior Court Judge Michael Kassel to enter a finding of default against Busey 'for failure to plead or otherwise defend.'
Kassel on Nov. 18 entered a default order, which could still be lifted if Busey engages in the suit.
Busey's attorney for the criminal case, Blair Zwillman of Morristown, said he has no role in the civil litigation.
Among other claims, the suit asserts the women were 'targeted, coerced and sexually assaulted as a result of being female.'
It seeks unspecified damages, as well as recovery of the women's legal costs.
'It's not surprising that Mr. Busey has not answered the complaint,' Lafferty said Monday.
'At every turn, Mr. Busey has shirked his responsibilities to answer for his actions. We will not allow his inaction to thwart our client's pursuit of justice,' she added.
The suit also names Monster-Mania, its operator David Hagan of Mays Landing and ownership of the Doubletree Hilton as defendants. They have denied wrongdoing.
The suit asserts that Busey was a Monster-Mania employee during the weekend event. It says the show's organizer and the hotel failed to protect the women.
J.E. and A.D. called Cherry Hill police to the Route 70 hotel after finding no one at the show to assist them, according to the suit.
The father of another female fan called Cherry Hill police the next day to report that his daughter claimed Busey had groped her.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Gary Busey is accused of criminal sexual contact involving female fans
