SAG fines 'Runaways' star Kip Pardue for 'sexual harassment' after he allegedly masturbated in front of his co-star
Actor Kip Pardue has been found guilty and charged for 'serious misconduct' after SAG-AFTRA disciplinary committee censured him following a private hearing in front of the union’s disciplinary committee on March 20. The sexual harassment accusations were made by actress Sarah Scott, his co-star on the set of the indie TV show 'Mogulettes'.
The committee sent a notice to the actor saying it “censures and admonishes him for this inappropriate and unprofessional conduct", according to a report first put out by Los Angeles Times. Pardue was also fined $6,000. However, the notice states that the fine will be reduced to $3,000 if the actor takes an online sexual harassment training course in the next three months. Meanwhile, the actor has denied the allegations. His attorney, Shepard Kopp, told the Times that Pardue “never engaged in any nonconsensual behavior.”
The incident first came to light in May, when Scott complained to the Screen Actors' Guild to report sexual harassment. She told the Los Angeles Times that he "became aroused and put her hand on his erect penis". Later, Pardue invited her into his dressing room and masturbated in front of her, she also said in a complaint sent to the guild in June 2018.
“I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel good about the punishment or not,” Scott told the Times after the judgment. “I would have liked to have seen a couple of years’ suspension, but this is a step in the right direction. What was 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.”
When asked, a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson did not elaborate further on the case due to the "confidentiality of such cases.” This again, brings to light, into SAG’s disciplinary process to adjudge sexual assault or harassment. Since the proceedings are confidential, the outcome doesn't seem to always have a profound outcome. Even though Pardue has been penalized by the guild, time will tell if the ruling will have any major effect on his career.
After the incident was reported, Pardue told The Times last October: “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.” The actor is known for his roles in Marvel's 'Runaways' 'Remember the Titans', 'Driven', 'The Rules of Attraction' and 'Thirteen'.