Marvel’s Runaways Actor Kip Pardue Found Guilty of Sexual Misconduct By The Screen Actors Guild

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Jul 9, 2019

Marvel’s Runaways actor Kip Pardue, 43, was found guilty of sexual misconduct by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) following accusations from his co-star, Sarah Scott, while filming a pilot for a TV show called Mogulettes.

Scott claimed that Pardue forced her to touch his privates during a sex scene after he became aroused. She also claimed he performed a sex act in front of her in a dressing room on the set following the scene.

Following the alleged incidents, Scott not only reported the incident to SAG-AFTRA, but also filed a police report with Hermosa Beach, California. Sgt. Mick Gaglia confirmed the investigation to NBC News, “An investigation began directly after the completion of the report for our District Bureau.”

When speaking with the Los Angeles Times about the incident last year, Scott claims Pardue stated, “This isn’t a #MeToo thing. I’m not your employer. It’s not like I can fire you.”

In a statement from last year, Pardue admitted to the accusations regarding the sex scene, but denied the accusations in the dressing room.

“I clearly misread the situation during a sex scene on set and have apologized to Sarah. I never intended to offend her in any way and deeply regret my actions and have learned from my behavior.”

Mogulettes executive producer Bennett Talsky noted that he reported the claims to SAG-AFTRA and spoke to both Scott and Pardue individually. Talksy told the LA Times that Pardue “danced around the whole thing and never admitted to it.” He added, “He was trying to justify it, saying they had really good chemistry and he got carried away.”

SAG-AFTRA came to the conclusion that Pardue was “guilty of serious misconduct in violation.” They also told Pardue in an email obtained by the LA Times that SAG “censures and admonishes you for this inappropriate and unprofessional conduct.” They also noted that Pardue was “inconsistent” with its code of conduct on sexual harassment.

Pardue faces a $6,000 fine. However, if he takes an online workplace sexual harassment training module within 90 days, his fine will be reduced to $3,000.

If the actor is found guilty within the next five years, further actions could be taken by the union in the future. Due to the nature of the union, a spokesman for SAG-AFTRA told the Los Angeles Times they would not provide any more details on the process.

Scott gave her reaction to the judgment to the LA Times, “Overall, I’m OK with it, but it’s a weird feeling. I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel good about the punishment or not. I would have liked to have seen a couple of years’ suspension, but this is a step in the right direction. What was the most important for me was that others who come forward in the future know that the union is willing to take these complaints seriously and create a space where they can be heard.”

Pardue’s lawyer Shepard Kopp reiterated that the actor has “never engaged in any nonconsenual behavior.”

Shortly after the ruling actress Olivia Munn took to Twitter to urge SAG to strengthen their penalties for misconduct, going as far as to revoking membership to those found guilty of misconduct. She also questioned if Hulu would keep the actor cast on it’s Marvel’s Runaway production:

Scott isn’t the only actress to accuse Pardue of sexual misconduct. Andrea Bogart accused the actor of sexual misconduct while filming the Showtime series Ray Donovan in 2014.

What do you make of this ruling?

 

 

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