Dukes Of Hazzard's Tom Wopat Allegedly Accosted, Grabbed Young Girl In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — Additional charges have been filed against the actor who played good ol' boy Luke Duke in the 1980s show "The Dukes of Hazzard," Patch has learned. According to court documents, Tom Wopat sexually harassed an underage cast member this summer during a theater rehearsal.

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In addition to earlier charges that he groped a cast member, Tom Wopat, 66, is now accused of indecently assaulting, annoying and accosting a high school-age cast member while rehearsing for Reagle Theatre’s “42nd Street” this summer.

On July 27, another actor told Wopat to stop flirting with the underage girl during rehearsal.

But the married actor continued, at one point telling the girl, “I’m a creepy old man. You’re really talented and really cute.” He told her she was cute multiple times and poked her in the stomach. He also hit her rear end with a script and told her she had a "nice butt," the teen told police.

She came forward after realizing that a number of women working with Wopat felt similarly uncomfortable, court documents indicate.

Wopat also tried to make his way into the girls' dressing room when one young woman told him he wasn't allowed.

Witnesses told police that Wopat was disrespectful to the directors, intoxicated on set, forgot his lines and cursed during rehearsal — even though that wasn't in the script.

What happened:

Waltham police said they arrested Wopat at 10:53 p.m. as he was leaving Waltham High School Wednesday, Aug. 2 on a warrant "relating to an incident that occurred in Waltham." According to court documents, one of Wopat's fellow cast members alleged that he grabbed her rear end.

"The defendant is charged in connection with inappropriately touching a female cast member on July 23, 2017. During a rehearsal the defendant allegedly walked behind a female cast member, grabbing her buttocks," said the District Attorney's office in a press release.

According to earlier court documents, "Wopat denied improperly touching anyone" but told investigators that he liked to flirt.

"He relayed that one time he was seated and one of the girls walked by him and he lightly touched her hip and said 'I like the way you work,'" according to the court document.

Wopat, of New York and Tennessee, was arraigned in Waltham District Court on charges of indecent assault and battery on a person older than 14 and possession of a Class B substance in connection with an allegation of inappropriately touching a cast member during rehearsal. Police said they found two small baggies of cocaine in his pocket when they arrested him. That charge was included at the arraignment.

Judge Sarah Ellis set bail at $1,000 cash and ordered Wopat to stay away from the woman who accused him of grabbing her, any witnesses named in the police report and from Waltham High School.

Following the arraignment, Wopat's publicist took to Facebook to deny that Wopat had done anything wrong in Waltham and to announce that Wopat was taking steps to address his substance abuse. Wopat also told fans he was disappointed he wouldn't be starring in the production he was slated to headline.

Wopat pleaded not guilty July 3 to grabbing the rear end of a fellow cast member during the rehearsal for the musical.

The Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, based at Waltham High School, opened the production of "42nd Street" Thursday afternoon, but Rich Allegretto took Wopat's role of Julian Marsh.

Wopat could face a felony charge if he is convicted of indecent assault and battery. The drug possession is a misdemeanor.

Wopat was scheduled to return to court Sept. 26 for a pre-trial conference, but that date has shifted to Oct. 24 .

RELATED:

'Dukes Of Hazzard' Star Arrested In Waltham Denies Grabbing Woman's Rear

'Dukes Of Hazzard' Star Arrested In Waltham For Allegedly

Photo of Tom Wopat: Photo: In this June 15, 2008 file photo, actor Tom Wopat arrives at the 62nd Annual Tony Awards in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)

Photo of Waltham District Court and Regal Music Theatre by Jenna Fisher/Patch