Stephen Collins admitted to abusing three underage girls in a People Magazine piece Wednesday.
In the interview, the 67-year-old actor admits to “inappropriate behavior” with pre-teen girls in the 1970s and ’80s, including exposing himself to the girls as well as moving their hands to touch him.
“Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since,” he said. “I’ve decided to address these issues publicly because two months ago, various news organizations published a recording made by my then-wife, Faye Grant, during a confidential marriage therapy session in January, 2012. This session was recorded without the therapist’s or my knowledge or consent.”
Also read: ‘7th Heaven’ Dad Stephen Collins Admits to Child Molestation on Audiotape (Report)
Collins came under fire in October when after audio footage was released in which Collins admitted to molesting young girls more than 40 years ago, though it wasn’t reported until 2012. In response to the allegations he was then fired from “Ted 2,” his scenes on ABC’s “Scandal” were cut, and reruns of “7th Heaven” were removed from TV Guide Network and UP TV’s lineup.
“On the recording, I described events that took place 20, 32, and 40 years ago,” Collins continued to People magazine. “The publication of the recording has resulted in assumptions and innuendos about what I did that go far beyond what actually occurred. As difficult as this is, I want people to know the truth.
Also read: Stephen Collins Under Investigation in LA for Third Molestation Case
“I did have an opportunity to do so with one of the women, 15 years later. I apologized and she was extraordinarily gracious,” said Collins, who remains in a protracted divorce battle with Grant. “But after I learned in the course of my treatment that my being direct about such matters could actually make things worse for them by opening old wounds, I have not approached the other two women, one of whom is now in her 50s and the other in her 30s.”
Collins vows nothing inappropriate ever happened on the set of “7th Heaven.”
Also read: ‘Scandal’ Won’t Air Stephen Collins Scenes Amid Child Molestation Allegations
Collins will sit down with Yahoo News’ Katie Couric on Friday. The interview will stream on Yahoo and also air on ABC’s 20/20.