HFPA Has Concluded Its Investigation On Brendan Fraser's Sexual Assault Claim, Says It Was Meant To Be Taken As "A Joke"

Months ago we featured a story where Brendan Fraser alleged he was sexually assaulted by the former president and current member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. When the news first broke, the HFPA said it would do an investigation of the situation and the accused Philip Berk. Well, GQ did a follow up with Fraser following the incident, and come to find out the HFPA reached out to him and tried to get him to sign a joint statement that said the following:

“Although it was concluded that Mr. Berk inappropriately touched Mr. Fraser, the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance”

Fraser, of course, declined to sign the statement which meant the HFPA kept the results of their internal investigation from him as well as the rest of the public. Just as a refresher for those who don't remember what exactly happened, here's Brendan Fraser describing the "joke" Phillip Berk pulled on him:

“His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around.”

Now, I remember a handful of commenters on here last time asking why Fraser didn't kick the guy's ass or anything, but you have to remember who we're dealing with here. The HFPA is responsible for producing the Golden Globes, and while that may not be the most prestigious award show in Hollywood, it's certainly comprised of a list of well-connected people. Fraser could've knocked that dude senseless, but almost assuredly it would've come at some big repercussions to his career, and others in Hollywood.

Berk, who has maintained the allegations lodged against him are false, said he does not know what the investigation found but said he has faced no repercussions from the incident, and that he was told the press release would absolve him from any wrongdoing.