Jeremy Piven Denies Sexual Assault Claims

Jeremy Piven is denying recent claims made by Ariane Bellamar after the reality star alleged on Twitter that Piven had sexually assaulted her in the past, once at the Playboy Mansion and once on the set of Entourage.

"I unequivocally deny the appalling allegations being peddled about me," Piven said in a statement released to Vulture. "It did not happen. It takes a great deal of courage for victims to come forward with their histories, and my hope is that the allegations about me that didn't happen, do not detract from stories that should be heard."

Bellamar's allegations also prompted a response from the network HBO, who said on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, "Today, via the press reports, is the first we are hearing about Ariane Bellamar's allegations concerning Jeremy Piven. Everyone at HBO and our productions is aware that zero tolerance for sexual harassment is our policy. Anyone experiencing an unsafe working environment has several avenues for making complaints that we take very seriously."

In her original tweet, Bellamar wrote to Piven, asking, "'Member when you cornered me in your trailer on the #Entourage set? 'Member grabbing my boobies on the [couch emoticon] without asking??" 

In a subsequent tweet, she provided more specific allegations. "Jeremy Piven, on two occasions, cornered me & forcefully fondled my breasts & bum. Once at the mansion & once on set," she wrote.

News of Bellamar's allegations have also made their way to CBS, the network that hosts Piven's new show, Wisdom of the Crowd. Said the network (via Vulture), "We are aware of the media reports and are looking into the matter."