NEW YORK -- A prominent Broadway actor, known for playing the beast in Disney's family-friendly "Beauty and the Beast," pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he had sexual contact several times with a 15-year-old girl -- including once in his dressing room.
James Barbour, 40, was charged with five counts of criminal sex acts and sexual abuse against the teen back in 2001. She came forward earlier this year before the five-year statute of limitations expired.
Assistant District Attorney Maxine Rosenthal, speaking at the hearing, said prosecutors were aware of a second case where Barbour allegedly had sexual contact with another underage girl, in California. Defense attorney David Smith said there was nothing new about any of the charges.
"These are the very same allegations he was aware of several months ago," said Smith. "... We were aware of the second allegation as well. That occurred over seven years ago."
According to prosecutors, Barbour was starring in the musical "Jane Eyre" in 2001 when the girl's high school drama teacher arranged for the girl and her parents to see the show. The girl came backstage by herself after the show, and the actor began sexually touching her, prosecutors said.
There was allegedly another incident with the same girl during a dinner at an Eighth Avenue restaurant, and a third in his apartment on the Upper West Side, authorities said.
Just posted on Channel 4's Website.
I knew there was something else, It was California, not Florida though.
Other than that, did you enjoy the play Mrs Lincoln?