By Dan Jollin, AP Reporter
Attorneys who sued on behalf of a former aspiring actor, claiming he was abused by two Hollywood executives, have apologized for the lawsuits and say they believe the allegations were untrue.
In letters issued last week, attorney Jeffrey Herman of Boca Raton, Florida, apologized to television executives Garth Ancier and David Neuman for lawsuits claiming that they had abused Michael Egan in 1999.
The lawsuits were filed in Hawaii in April 2014. They claimed Egan had been abused there and in California.
"Based on what I know now, I believe that I participated in making what I now know to be untrue and proveably false allegations against you," Herman said in separate letters Friday to Ancier and Neuman.
"I deeply regret the pain, suffering and damage the lawsuits and publicity have caused you, and your family, friends and colleagues," Herman wrote.
Attorney Mark Gallagher of Kailua, Hawaii, apologized to Ancier for his role in the lawsuit. "Unfortunately, I now do not believe that the allegations in the lawsuit were true and accurate," he wrote.
The apologies were accompanied by unspecified monetary compensation. The payment was "in the seven figures," according to a spokesman for Ancier.
Ancier was a high-ranking executive at the NBC, Fox and WB networks. Neuman is a former TV executive with Current TV and Disney.
Egan claimed the men abused him in Hawaii in 1999 when he was 17. Egan also sued "X-Men" director Bryan Singer and Gary Wayne Goddard, a theater producer.
All four denied the allegations as soon as the lawsuits were filed. Singer and Ancier said they weren't even in Hawaii when Egan said he was abused.
Ancier and Neuman eventually countersued Egan for malicious prosecution.
The lawsuits against Neuman and Ancier were dismissed in June 2014. The lawsuits against Singer and Goddard were dropped by Egan around the same time.
In a prepared statement, Ancier said the attorneys who brought the false claim were making a significant financial payment for bringing a case that didn't have any merit, finally proving that "a convicted scam artist's claims" were entirely made up.
"I said on day one this was all absolutely false and I'm certainly pleased that's now been admitted by the lawyers responsible for transforming absurd fabrications into a real-life nightmare for me," Ancier said.
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More