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SALT LAKE CITY — Actor Tom Sizemore says allegations that he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl on the set of a movie filmed in Utah 14 years ago are "false."
In a statement released Thursday on Sizemore's Twitter account, the actor says the claims against him are "so disturbing that I feel compelled to go against my legal team's advice and speak out."
Sizemore says he has "battled substance abuse and related demons for years."
"However, I don't deserve this. I never, nor would I ever, sexually touch a child. I have done many things I deeply regret," he said in the statement. "However, I did not do this."
The allegations that first came to light by the Hollywood Reporter were revealed in more detail in a Salt Lake police report obtained by KSL through a public records request. Sizemore was fired from the movie after the allegations came to light, but according to the Hollywood Reporter, returned months later for re-shoots when the girl's parents declined to press charges.
According to the police report, however, it was the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office that declined to file formal charges "due to witness and evidence problems."
Sizemore and the girl were in Salt Lake City to film the movie "Piggybank," which was later retitled "Born Killers." On Aug. 29, 2003, the two were at an abandoned house, 644 E. 300 South, for a photo shoot with a Christmas theme, the report states. The girl's mother filed a report with police a few days later on Sept. 12.
"During the shoot, Tom kissed (the girl) a couple of times. The second time, Tom approached for a kiss, (the girl) was able to move her mouth and Tom kissed above her lip," according to the report.
Later, Sizemore positioned his hand — palm up — so that the girl would have to sit on it, the report states. The girl claims he then touched her inappropriately over her clothing, the report states.
When interviewed by police, "The victim said that the suspect was laying sideways on the carpeted floor, and she sat beside him. As she sat, he put his hand underneath her bottom. She said she squirmed away, and he moved his hand with her," the report states.
"(The girl) immediately got up, grabbed Tom's hand and moved it away," according to the police report.
The girl kept trying to get her mother's attention and told her what happened when they were alone.
"She said her mother asked if she was sure and didn't just misunderstand. She said she told her she was positive about what happened," the report states.
The girl also told police she was uncomfortable when Sizemore pointed to places on his face he allegedly wanted her to kiss.
The girl's mother told police she did not witness the kissing, but at a later shoot, she noticed her daughter "seemed very uncomfortable" and demanded that her mother be close to her, according to the report. When the girl was told to sit next to Sizemore for pictures, the mother told police she saw her daughter mouth the word, "Mom," the report states.
In his statement, Sizemore said there were about 20 people on the set that day.
"If I did this heinous act, why didn't the 20-plus members stop me? Why did the alleged victim, whom I feel nothing but compassion, also finish the film? Why would her mother allow that?" he said.
Sizemore also questions, "Why are these allegations coming now, and not then?"
A woman whose job was to watch over all the children in the movie, and was required "by law" to be on the set at all times with them, told police that Sizemore was lying on the floor "with his head on his hand and the victim sitting in front of him. She did not see him touch the victim in any inappropriate manner," according to the report.
Detectives also interviewed the production manager of the movie who told them there were "over 100 people on or around the set at the photo shoot. She said there were at least 20 persons close to the set and the rest were on the outskirts. She added that she had not heard anyone say they had seen anything suspicious happen," the report states.
In the report, it was stated that Sizemore was fired from the movie and sent home to California. It also stated that Sizemore had, in turn, notified the production company that he was suing.
The girl, now 26, described by the Hollywood Reporter as a "former actress," declined to talk about the incident with the magazine "except to note that she's recently hired a lawyer to explore legal action against the actor as well as her parents," according to the article.
Sizemore's agent, Stephen Rice, and Los Angeles-based Pantheon Talent, did not immediately return a request from KSL for comment.
