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Sex-abuse lawsuit withdrawn against Hollywood TV executive Neuman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A man who accused TV executive David Neuman of sexually abusing him when he was an aspiring teen actor has withdrawn his lawsuit, after Neuman's lawyer revealed a previous sworn statement by the accuser that they never had sexual contact.
/ Source: Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A man who accused TV executive David Neuman of sexually abusing him when he was an aspiring teen actor has withdrawn his lawsuit, after Neuman's lawyer revealed a previous sworn statement by the accuser that they never had sexual contact.

Michael Egan, 31, late on Wednesday filed a voluntary dismissal of the civil lawsuit brought in April after Egan also had accused "X-Men" director Bryan Singer of sexually abusing him as a teenager in the late 1990s.

"Today's news affirms to everyone that David Neuman's fine reputation deserves to stand strong and was attacked with no merit," Neuman's lawyer, Patricia Glaser, said in a statement.

Glaser also said "we will hold accountable those who wrongly created the hurt and damage by making outrageous, untruthful assertions that cannot be undone."

It was unclear if Neuman planned legal action against Egan.

During the litigation, Neuman's lawyer entered into evidence a 2003 sworn declaration by Egan that was part of lawsuit against some of Neuman's colleagues. Egan stated that he never had physical contact with Neuman that was sexual and that his interactions with Neuman were incidental and appropriate.

Neuman, a former president of Walt Disney Co's TV unit who is now president and executive producer of Blackrock Productions, had been sued by Egan along with Singer, entertainment firm executive Gary Goddard and TV executive Garth Ancier. Each of them have denied the accusations and the cases have not been resolved.

Egan's lawyer, Jeff Herman, who announced each of the lawsuits at news conferences in Los Angeles, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and Grant McCool)