Fallout Continues For Stephen Collins Following Alleged Sex-Abuse Confession

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ETONLINE

The scandal surrounding actor Stephen Collins continues to grow after recordings surfaced that allegedly contain audio of the 7th Heaven star confessing to having sexual contact with a number of children, although the tapes have not been verified and none of alleged victims have come forward.

The tapes were allegedly recorded at a 2012 therapy session between Collins and his estranged wife, Faye Grant.


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Since then, unconfirmed allegations have come out that Collins could have a sex addiction. In a document filed as part of their divorce proceedings, Grant claimed, "I know that he has used a 12-step model for sex addition, and that he was also seeing a 'sexual dysfunction' therapist. However, he has refused to seek proper help or hospitalization for his predilection towards children."

On Wednesday, Dr. Phil stopped by ET to discuss the ongoing controversy and the recordings.


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"I hope it isn't true, but if it is true, this isn't a sex addiction," Dr. Phil told ET's Nancy O'Dell and Kevin Frazier. "This could be pedophilia, it could be exhibitionism with a target that is exclusive to children."

However, Dr. Phil also cautioned that the tapes had not been authenticated, and says that if claims turn out to be false, Collins' career could still likely be over.

"If it's not true… it's awful hard to unring that bell," Dr. Phil told ET. "America reads headlines. Headlines are the scandal, and page seventeen, column four, down at the bottom, is the retraction."


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In a statement released by Collins' lawyer Marl Vincent Kaplan to TMZ on Tuesday, Kaplan claims that Grant has "repeatedly threatened to give this audiotape to the media unless Stephen agreed to pay her millions of dollars more than that to which she was legally entitled."

On Wednesday, Grant and her lawyer, Larry A. Ginsberg, responded to Kaplan's claims that the tapes were released maliciously.


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In a public statement, Ginsberg said:

"The statement that my client attempted to extort Mr. Stephen Collins with an audiotape is fabricated and defamatory, and could not be farther from the truth. In fact, Faye turned over the recording to the LAPD and NYPD two years ago after Mr. Collins refused to address and get help with regard to his reprehensible conduct."


"It is offensive and outrageous that Mr. Collins' lawyer is now attempting to deflect focus away from the disturbing content of the recording and away from Mr. Collins' admissions by attacking the victims, including Faye, who Mr.Collins' lawyer is attempting to portray as the "villain" in this tragic situation."


"Faye never asked to receive more than the 50% of the community property to which she is entitled under California law. Faye never asked for more than the "guideline" amount of spousal support based on Mr. Collins' income. From the very beginning of the dissolution of marriage matter, Faye has worked diligently to get this matter settled and to put it behind her while coping with the distress and trauma suffered as a result of the revelations about Mr. Collins' life. Faye requested that Mr. Collins create a trust fund for their daughter, and further requested that he make a contribution to a charitable organization benefiting sexually abused children. To falsely characterize these requests as extortion threats is reckless and constitutes yet further abuse"


"Contrary to the efforts by Mr. Collins' lawyer to infer that my client tried to extort a settlement from Mr. Collins with the recording, neither my client nor any of her representatives ever made the recording part of the family law Proceedings. As stated previously, neither Faye nor any of her representatives had any part in providing the audio tape or any part thereof to the media."

Since the tapes surfaced on TMZ early Tuesday morning, Collins' has been released from the production of Seth McFarlane's Ted 2, he has resigned from his position on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild, and UP TV and TVGuide Network have pulled all reruns of 7th Heaven.


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Also, ET has confirmed that Collin's performance in an upcoming episode of the political drama Scandal have been cut from the show.

A criminal investigation into Collins' alleged crimes is currently being conducted.