The son of former Time’s Up CEO Lisa Borders has enlisted an attorney for Kevin Spacey to defend him against the sexual assault accusations that led to Borders’ resignation from the anti-abuse group.
Borders resigned from Time’s Up this week because of the accusation against her son, Gary “Dijon” Bowden Jr. Time’s Up started in January 2018 in response to accusations of abuse by high-profile Hollywood men, including Spacey.
A rep for Time’s Up referred “all media inquiries to her Attorney Alan Jackson.” Jackson confirmed he represents Bowden. He has denied any inappropriate conduct by his client.
More than 30 men have accused Spacey of sexual misconduct, including actor Anthony Rapp, who said Spacey made a sexual advance on him when he was 14. Spacey said he did not remember such an encounter.
Spacey is facing a criminal charge of indecent assault and battery related to a July 2016 encounter between the Academy Award winner and a then-18-year-old employee of a Nantucket, Mass., restaurant. Jackson represented Spacey last month at a court appearance where the actor pleaded not guilty.
Borders abruptly resigned her post this week as Time’s Up first CEO, four months into her job, citing “family concerns that require my singular focus.” As TheWrap reported Thursday, those family concerns were the accusations against Bowden, a self-described healer.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Borders’ responses in defending her son made her position untenable.
The individual told TheWrap: “Lisa wanted to take action to defend her son and in doing so was in conflict with her role leading an organization deeply rooted in supporting survivors.”
In a statement Thursday, Time’s Up told TheWrap that Borders had informed leaders of the organization about the accusations, and that the departure was amicable.
Bowden, 36, has a business that offers services ranging from photography and inspirational podcasting to sessions where he pleasures women.
Reiki instructor Celia Gellert, said in a private Facebook that women should stay away from Bowden, according to the L.A. Times. She told the newspaper that she felt “violated” when Bowden, “touched her genitalia, kissed her neck and brushed his erect but clothed penis against her body during the session.”
Gellert filed a police report, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation. She runs a women’s empowerment group in Santa Monica.
Borders was hired by Time’s Up with great fanfare in October from the WNBA, where she was president since 2016. Before that Borders has been a vice president at Coca-Cola and the vice mayor of Atlanta. She was chosen after a broad search for a leader for the organization and was hand-picked by founders Shonda Rhimes, Katie McGrath and Rebecca Goldman.