Hollywood Lawyers Apologize For Sex Abuse Claim, But Not to Bryan Singer

The lawyers who once represented Michael Egan -- who claimed several Hollywood big-wigs sexually assaulted him as a minor -- are apologizing to several of the accused for bringing false charges.

But one of the accused -- out director Bryan Singer of X-Men: Days of Future Past -- was notably missing from the list of apologies sent by Egan's former lawyers.

According to Variety, Egan's former lawyers are apologizing -- in both words and cash -- to movie executives Garth Ancier and David Neuman for accusing them of sex abuse.

Egan claimed the executives and Singer sexually abused him when he was a teenage actor. But when his case fell apart, Neuman and Ancier countersued, claiming malicious prosecution. Prior to the countersuit, at least one Egan's attorneys dropped him as a client.

Variety reports attorney Jeff Herman sent the following letter to Ancier and Neuman:

"I sincerely apologize for bringing lawsuits against you on behalf of my former client Michael Egan. As you know, I withdrew from representing Mr. Egan two months after filing the complaints. Based on what I know now, I believe that I participated in making what I now know to be untrue and proveably false allegations against you. Had I known what I learned after filing the lawsuits, I would never have filed these claims against you. I deeply regret the pain, suffering and damage the lawsuit and publicity have caused you, and your family, friends and colleagues. I sincerely regret my role in this matter and for the harm that I caused. I have resolved this matter with compensation to you. I am hopeful that you can recover fully."

Variety reports a similar apology was sent to Neuman and Ancier by attorney Mark Gallagher, who no longer represents Egan.

For his part, Egan is reportedly awaiting sentencing in North Carolina, where he pleaded guilty to fraud charges unrelated to the allegations against the movie executives.

A spokesman for Ancier told Variety the apologies came with a sizeable amount of money, "in the seven figures," according to Ancier:

"The lawyers who brought this false claim are now making a significant financial payment as part of their apology for bringing a case they acknowledge never had any merit, finally proving that a convicted scam artist's claims about me were entirely made up. I said on day one this was all absolutely false and I'm certainly pleased that's now been admitted by the lawyers responsible for transforming absurd fabrications into a real-life nightmare for me."

The report in Variety did not name Singer or any other Hollywood executives. An attorney for Singer did not return a request for a comment.

In April 2014, The Advocate reported Singer's lawyer, Marty Singer, told Variety: "The claims made against Bryan Singer are completely without merit. We are very confident that Bryan will be vindicated."

Marc Collins-Rector, former chairman of Digital Entertainment Network, was also named in the now-defunct lawsuit against the X-Men director. Collins-Rector was accused of arranging an alleged assault of Egan by Singer at a house in Encino, Calif. A registered sex offender, Collins-Rector previously pleaded guilty in 2004 to luring minors across state lines to engage in sexual acts.

In addition to alcoholic beverages, Egan claimed Singer gave him several drugs, including cocaine and a "green triangle" pill believed to be ecstasy, as well as the prescription drugs Vicodin or Percocet, Xanax, and Rohypnol.

Egan had also accused Singer of flying Egan to Hawaii on two occasions. He claimed the director forced him to inhale cocaine and then allegedly engaged in oral and anal sex with him.

At the time the lawsuit was filed last year, Egan claimed he "often resisted" Singer's advances, and never "freely, voluntarily and knowingly consented to these sexual interactions."

Attorney Martin Singer is not related to Bryan Singer.