Golden Globes Tells Brendan Fraser That Groping Was a Joke

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has investigated an allegation of sexual misconduct and determined it was all for laughs. Just a misunderstanding, they tell actor Brendan Fraser.

The former president of HFPA, Philip Berk, had been accused by Fraser of aggressively groping him in 2003. "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," Fraser had said in an interview with GQ in February.

Fraser now tells GQ that the HFPA, which hosts the Golden Globes, privately ended its investigation and has told him the groping was proven to be merely a joke.

Fraser claims the HFPA wanted him to issue a joint statement saying, "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."

He has issued no such statement. Fraser doesn't get the "joke." He wants Berk -- who doesn't deny the fingering -- removed from HFPA.

For its part, HFPA refuses to explain how it conducted the supposed investigation. It has also kept Berk on as a member, according to GQ. It sent GQ a statement reiterating that the groping was "inappropriate" and pointing out -- for some reason -- that after complaining, "Mr. Fraser continued to attend HFPA events including the Golden Globes."

So, if Fraser doesn't like these jokes, he shouldn't attend the Golden Globes? Maybe that's a policy other celebs considering the Golden Globes should be aware of.