George Takei Says Alleged Sexual Abuse 'Simply Did Not Occur'

Following a THR report that he made sexual contact with an unconscious man in his apartment in 1981, "Star Trek" and social media icon George Takei has adamantly denied the claim.

Former model Scott R. Brunton told THR that after a date and a couple of drinks with Takei, he "must have passed out" and awoke to find Takei groping him. Brunton recalled saying, "I don't want to do this," pushing Takei away, and driving himself home. Four of Brunton's friends confirmed he had related the story to them "years ago."

Following a backlash on his Twitter and Facebook pages, Takei responded to the allegations on Facebook, writing that he is as "shocked and bewildered at these claims" as his fans are.

"The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur," Takei wrote Saturday morning, "and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do. But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment."

A response from Takei was absent from the initial version of the THR piece, which had at first noted he was traveling and unavailable to comment and now contains an update.

"Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago," Takei went on. "But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful."

He has the support of his husband, Brad Takei. "Brad, who is 100 percent beside me on this, as my life partner of more than 30 years and now my husband, stands fully by my side. I cannot tell you how vital it has been to have his unwavering support and love in these difficult times."