AceShowbiz - Kevin Spacey, the actor formerly known for his lead role in House of Cards, testified in a California civil trial on Tuesday, confirming that he was formally diagnosed with "sexual compulsive behavior" in 2017. This diagnosis came after he voluntarily enrolled in a residential treatment program amid widespread allegations of sexual misconduct.

The diagnosis was documented in a psychiatric summary issued when Spacey was discharged from The Meadows treatment center in Arizona on December 16, 2017. During his testimony in a Santa Monica courtroom, he read aloud from the summary, stating, "Other specified obsessive and related behaviors, sexual compulsive behavior, generalized anxiety disorder." When asked if he had any medical grounds to dispute this diagnosis, he answered, "No."

Throughout the trial, Spacey emphasized that his intention in seeking treatment at The Meadows was to address issues related to sexual behavior and boundaries. However, he also expressed frustration over inaccuracies in his medical records, particularly notes made by two primary doctors who treated him. For instance, a doctor’s note claimed Spacey identified one of his "problem behaviors" as "touching in public without permission," a statement he denied ever making.

Spacey testified, his voice rising with emotion, that the medical records included comments attributed to him that he never said. He pointed out factual errors, such as doctors believing he had a British accent or a wife, which contradicted his actual circumstances as an unmarried, openly gay man. He added that the doctors were treating 29 other male patients and that he could not be sure how they took notes, but he insisted that many statements in the records were inaccurate and did not reflect his words or actions.

The trial itself revolves around a dispute between the production company behind House of Cards, Media Rights Capital (MRC), and its insurer, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company (FFIC). The insurer denied a nine-figure claim related to the show's disrupted production in 2017 and the subsequent rewriting of the sixth and final season following the allegations against Spacey.

FFIC argued that their policy covered losses only from medically verified, incapacitating illnesses. They claimed that the suspension of Spacey was due solely to media fallout from the misconduct allegations, not any qualifying medical condition. According to FFIC, MRC placed the series on hiatus on October 31, 2017, and never invited Spacey back to the show.

At the time of the allegations’ emergence, Spacey had been filming House of Cards on October 29, 2017. The controversy began when BuzzFeed published an article featuring actor Anthony Rapp’s claim that Spacey made a sexual advance toward him during a party at Spacey’s home in 1986, when Rapp was 14 years old. Shortly after, CNN reported allegations from eight anonymous crew members of House of Cards, accusing Spacey of predatory sexual behavior, including incidents where he allegedly would pull a person’s hand toward his crotch under the pretext of a handshake.

In a separate 2022 civil trial in Manhattan federal court, a jury found Spacey not liable for the sexual misconduct claims brought by Rapp. In 2023, he was acquitted of sexual assault charges in London related to allegations from four men. Despite these legal outcomes, an arbitrator found Spacey liable for a $31 million payment to MRC. This award was upheld by a three-member appellate panel, leading Spacey to settle with MRC. The settlement reduced the payment from $31 million to $1 million in exchange for Spacey agreeing to provide medical records and testify in the ongoing insurance lawsuit.

During his testimony, Adam Ziffer, the attorney representing MRC, focused on establishing that Spacey had a continuing medical condition after his release from The Meadows. Ziffer questioned why Spacey sought treatment in the first place.

Spacey responded, "I went there to try to help myself. I had just had a series of things happening in my life where my life felt like it was collapsing." He added that he went to The Meadows to take care of himself and seek answers, admitting uncertainty at the time about whether he had a medical illness or condition, but acknowledging he had many questions.

Ziffer then had Spacey read another note from his medical files: "Patient will hold himself accountable for the adverse impact of his problematic sexual behaviors on self and others." Spacey reacted by saying he continues to work on accountability for his past mistakes but dismissed much of the medical record language as confusing and not reflective of how he speaks or thinks.

Additional notes in the medical records outlined goals such as improving Spacey’s ability to moderate multiple addictive or problematic behaviors and addressing sexual boundaries. Spacey reiterated his frustration, stating that the records were written in a style unfamiliar to him and that while he recognized the importance of boundaries, he did not always "read the room" correctly.

Before entering treatment, Spacey admitted he found the allegations frightening, though he did not believe them to be true. He said he needed to ask himself serious questions about his behavior and motivations. "I was trying to figure out where I had gotten it wrong, and could I make sure that I never put myself in a situation where someone questioned my motives again."

MRC’s counsel then highlighted a doctor's note that indicated Spacey’s "pending legal status" was a potential barrier to fully engaging in accountability work during his stay. The note suggested he might benefit from returning to residential care once his legal issues were more settled.

Spacey testified that the only pending legal matter at that time was his dispute with MRC. He acknowledged one remaining case in the United Kingdom but said the legal proceedings there were largely vindicating him. "I've been enormously happy that I've had an opportunity to walk into courtrooms and defend myself and be found not guilty." He added that although the experience is difficult, he appreciates being able to defend himself with fairness and due process.

He also strongly denied the allegations reported by CNN involving the eight anonymous crew members, calling their accusations illegitimate. Spacey confirmed that he told an investigator for MRC he never touched any crew members in a sexual way.

When asked about the arbitration award, Spacey described it as a finding that he violated an MRC policy, nothing more. Ziffer countered that the arbitrator found witnesses who testified against Spacey credible. Spacey responded that only five of the witnesses were deemed credible and that the standard used was "more likely true than not," which he said is a very low bar.

Ziffer rhetorically questioned whether any of the misconduct occurred, implying Spacey had no reason to misbehave on set. The lawyer’s tone suggested skepticism about Spacey’s claims of accountability, while Spacey maintained his positions throughout the questioning.

The trial continues to examine the complex interplay of legal, medical, and insurance issues surrounding Spacey’s departure from House of Cards, the impact of the sexual misconduct allegations, and the validity of the insurance claim related to the show’s disrupted production schedule in 2017.