After domestic violence, ‘Home Alone’ actor Devin Ratray charged with rape

New York, Aug 26

'Home Alone' actor Devin Ratray, who played Kevin's older brother Buzz in the popular film franchise, is reportedly being investigated for allegedly raping a woman in New York. Lisa Smith claims that the actor, who played Macaulay Culkin's bullying older brother in the 1990 film, attacked her in his Manhattan apartment in 2017 after possibly spiking her drink, reports mirror.co.uk.

Ratray, who denies the allegation, currently faces domestic violence charges from an unrelated incident.

The report of his arrest in that case led Smith to contact prosecutors about a report she filed accusing the actor of rape. She wanted to know why it wasn't pursued.

Smith said the authorities had wrongly believed she wanted to stay anonymous and didn't want to press charges.

She told CNN and prosecutors she and Ratray had been friends for 15 years before the alleged incident. After drinks with her brother and a friend, they all went to the actor's flat. He poured drinks and seemed intent on giving her a specific glass, after which she became exhausted and was encouraged to sleep over, reports mirror.co.uk.

She said: "I remember waking up and I couldn't move. I couldn't really open my eyes but I could hear and feel what was happening. I knew the other two were gone and I was still on the couch."

She claimed Ratray sexually assaulted her for what seemed like "an eternity" before leaving her on the settee. Smith said she confronted the actor by text next day but he denied her claims, saying he was unable to have sex because he is impotent.

She said she was "devastated" that the police failed to fully investigate her initial allegation. Smith claims to have emails suggesting the case was closed even though she had offered to cooperate with prosecutors.

The Manhattan district attorneys office confirmed that they "are in touch" with Smith but declined to discuss the case.

Ratray, who has not been charged in connection with the allegations, said that he recalled his evening with Smith but denied rape. "We did not have sex," he said.

He has pleaded not guilty to the unrelated domestic violence charges and a hearing is scheduled for October.

--IANS