Latest news with #Monster-Mania
Metro
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gary Busey pleads guilty to sexual misconduct charges: 'It was not accidental'
Actor Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct. Busey, 81, has admitted that he purposely touched a woman inappropriately at a horror film convention in New Jersey in 2022, charges he previously denied. The Point Break actor told the judge, 'It was not an accidental touching,' according to The Guardian. Prosecutors have now agreed to dismiss three other counts of criminal sexual contact as well as one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, in exchange for Busey's guilty plea. The charges relate to incidents at the Monster-Mania convention, held from August 12 to 14, 2022, at a DoubleTree Hilton hotel in Cherry Hill, a suburb of Philadelphia. Five women accused Busey of inappropriate touching during photo opportunities at the event. According to authorities, Busey allegedly grabbed the buttocks of two women and attempted to unhook a third woman's bra while putting his face near her breasts, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The case garnered renewed attention this week after Busey's attorney, Blair Zwillman, attempted to have the indictment dismissed. Zwillman argued that law enforcement had conducted a 'faulty' investigation and failed to interview potentially relevant witnesses. However, Camden County prosecutor Keith Carmy countered that extensive witness testimony had already been presented to the grand jury and that there was no evidence to suggest exculpatory material had been withheld. Judge Gwendolyn Blue ultimately denied the motion to dismiss. Following Busey's guilty plea, she tentatively scheduled a virtual sentencing hearing for September 18. Busey reportedly had difficulty hearing during the court proceedings despite wearing a hearing aid. He now faces a sentence that may include one to five years of probation, financial penalties, and the mandatory submission of a DNA sample. The actor initially denied any wrongdoing. 'None of that happened,' he told TMZ. 'It was a partner, a camera lady and me, and two girls … it took less than 10 seconds, and they left. Then they made up a story that I assaulted them sexually and I did not. Nothing happened, it's all false.' While Busey is often remembered for his Oscar-nominated portrayal of rock-and-roll pioneer Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story (1978), his later career has been overshadowed by troubling legal and personal issues. More Trending He has amassed over 100 credits in film and television, frequently appearing in offbeat or villainous roles in films such as Lethal Weapon, Point Break, and Under Siege. This is not Busey's first run-in with the law. In 1995, he was hospitalized following a near-fatal cocaine overdose and was subsequently charged with drug offenses. He has also faced previous allegations of spousal abuse, and during the 2011 season of Celebrity Apprentice, a female employee accused him of sexual assault. The actor has not made a public statement since entering his plea. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni 'come face-to-face' for first time since It Ends With Us war MORE: Tom Hiddleston's fiance Zawe Ashton reveals 'toxic' messages from family after wedding claims MORE: Fast and Furious villain warns they're 'ready to go' for final sequel appearance
Scottish Sun
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gary Busey, 81, pleads guilty to groping woman at New Jersey horror movie convention
He now faces between one and five years of probation and fines STAR IN DOCK Gary Busey, 81, pleads guilty to groping woman at New Jersey horror movie convention OSCAR-nominated actor Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to a sex crime after allegedly groping a woman at a horror movie convention in New Jersey. The Lethal Weapon star, 81, admitted during a Zoom court hearing on Thursday that the incident was 'not an accidental touching'. Advertisement 5 Gary Busey pleads guilty to sex charge Credit: Court TV 5 Busey is known for starring in Lethal Weapon Credit: Alamy 5 Cherry Hill police release body cam video of questioning of actor Gary Busey Credit: Cherry Hill Police Department Busey was accused of inappropriately grabbing two women's buttocks and attempting to unhook another woman's bra during a photo shoot at the Monster-Mania convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill on August 13, 2022. One victim claimed Busey placed his face near her chest and allegedly asked 'where she got them' before reaching for her bra strap. Busey initially denying any wrongdoing — even telling paparazzi in Malibu that 'none of that happened' and the women 'made up a story'. But the actor has now pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Advertisement Under a plea deal, three other counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted criminal sexual contact were dropped. The actor now faces between one and five years of probation and fines. He will also have a criminal record and must submit a DNA sample. His sentencing is scheduled for September 18 via Zoom. Advertisement Judge Gwendolyn Blue denied a motion from Busey's defense attorney, Blair Zwillman, who argued the case should be dismissed due to what he called a 'faulty investigation' and alleged failures by police to question certain witnesses. A police affidavit from 2022 claims that after detectives contacted Busey, he told them 'sometimes it is possible to accidentally touch someone in a specific body part'. Sex fiend who targeted boy, 8, in tent at Scots beauty spot was spotted fleeing scene by victim's horrified dad He also allegedly even asked authorities to apologise to two victims and persuade them not to press charges. In a statement at the time, Monster-Mania Convention said Busey was 'removed from the convention and instructed not to return' immediately after complaints were received. Advertisement 'The safety and well-being of all our attendees is of the utmost importance,' attorney Nikitas Moustakas said, adding that attendees were encouraged to file police reports. The guilty plea marks the latest controversy for the veteran actor. Just days after being charged in 2022, Busey was photographed in Malibu with his pants down on a public bench, his hand buried in his crotch. His spokesperson later claimed he may have needed to relieve himself, saying, 'Perhaps at his age, he realised he couldn't get to the bathroom in time.' Advertisement Busey, who rose to fame with his Oscar-nominated role in The Buddy Holly Story, has a history of troubling incidents. In 2011, a former Celebrity Apprentice employee accused him of sexual assault, telling the Daily Beast that he groped her and forced her hand onto his genitals. He also faced drug charges in 1995 after police reportedly found cocaine and marijuana at his Malibu home, and has been arrested in the past on suspicion of spousal abuse. The actor's son, Jake Busey, has previously said his father was never the same after a 1988 motorcycle crash that caused severe brain damage, claiming the injury left him 'more impulsive and prone to anger and delusions of grandeur.' Advertisement More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun 5 Busey pictured in New York City, 2018 Credit: Getty 5 Busey speaking to the press about his near fatal motorcyle accident and his opposition to the mandatory laws for motorcyclists over 21 to wear helmets on March 1, 1989 Credit: Getty
Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lethal Weapon star Gary Busey, 81, pleads guilty to groping a woman at convention
Lethal Weapon actor Gary Busey pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct after he admitted to groping a woman's buttocks at the Monster Mania convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Camden, New Jersey, in 2022. The 81-year-old actor, known for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, told a judge that "it was not an accidental touching" during his virtual court appearance on Thursday. In exchange for Busey's guilty plea, the remaining charges against him, including three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, will be dismissed. All of the charges against him came from accusations he inappropriately touched five women he was taking pictures with at the convention from 12 to 14 August 2022. Judge Gwendolyn Blue asked him: "It is my understanding that you wish to plead guilty to a fourth degree criminal sexual contact today, is that correct?" and he answered: "Am I pleading guilty? No." His legal team corrected him, calling out 'yes!' and Busey then said: "I am? Okay, I am." The judge responded: "No, no, no that's not how it works," before clarifying the actor discussed the charge with his lawyers. When prompted again whether he wanted to plead guilty, he said: "Yeah." He was asked whether he could hear the judge and he explained: "I have hearing aids and they are working but they only go so high," before adding he could 'hear fine'. He reiterated that he wanted to plead guilty. The actor's defense attorney, Blair Zwillman, claimed the indictment should be dismissed over an alleged 'faulty investigation'. Zwillman claimed the authorities failed to question certain witnesses. Judge Blue denied the motion to dismiss. Busey, who faces one to five years of probation and will have to pay fines, will be sentenced on September 18. If sentenced, he will also be required to provide a DNA sample and will have a criminal record. A few days after he was charged three years ago, Busey claimed the women were 'making up' the groping claims and added the encounters lasted 'less than 10 seconds'. Speaking to paparazzi at the time, he said: "None of that happened. There was my partner, a camera lady and me and two girls. It took less than ten seconds, and then they left. Then they made up a story that I assaulted them sexually when I did not." When the paparazzo asked if the story was 'not true', Busey said: "Nothing happened. It was all false. I was not inappropriate at all. I have eyewitnesses." The convention released a statement days after the incident occurred in 2022. They wrote on social media: "Monster-Mania is assisting authorities in their investigation into an alleged incident involving attendees and a celebrity guest at its convention in Cherry Hill, New Jersey last weekend. "Immediately upon receiving a complaint from the attendees, the celebrity guest was removed from the convention and instructed not to return. Monster-Mania also encouraged the attendees to contact the police to file a report. "The safety and well-being of all our attendees is of the utmost importance to Monster-Mania, and the company will not tolerate any behaviour that could compromise those values. Monster-Mania will continue to assist the authorities in any and every way possible."
The Irish Sun
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gary Busey, 81, pleads guilty to groping woman at New Jersey horror movie convention
OSCAR-nominated actor Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to a sex crime after allegedly groping a woman at a horror movie convention in New Jersey. The Lethal Weapon star, 81, admitted during a Zoom court hearing on Thursday that the incident was 'not an accidental touching'. Advertisement 2 Gary Busey pleads guilty to sex charge Credit: Court TV 2 Busey is known for starring in Lethal Weapon Credit: Alamy Busey was accused of inappropriately grabbing two women's buttocks and attempting to unhook another woman's bra during a photo shoot at the Monster-Mania convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill on August 13, 2022. One victim claimed Busey placed his face near her chest and allegedly asked 'where she got them' before reaching for her bra strap. Busey initially denying any wrongdoing — even telling paparazzi in Malibu that 'none of that happened' and the women 'made up a story'. But the actor has now pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Advertisement Under a plea deal, three other counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted criminal sexual contact were dropped. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at Advertisement Most read in The US Sun
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. Conviction upheld: Man who killed at age 15 loses court challenge 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
