Jeremy Piven denies groping former Playboy model

Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Actor and producer Jeremy Piven "unequivocally" denies groping a former Playboy model.

The 52-year-old Entourage alum issued a statement through his publicist Tuesday after Ariane Bellamar alleged Piven "forcefully" fondled her on two occasions.

"I unequivocally deny the appalling allegations being peddled about me. It did not happen," Piven said.

"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," he added.

Bellamar accused Piven in a series of tweets Monday of groping her on the set of Entourage and at the Playboy Mansion.

"Hey @jeremypiven! 'Member when you cornered me in your trailer on the #Entourage set? 'Member grabbing my boobies on the [couch] without asking??" the model wrote. "'Member when I tried to leave; you grabbed me by the ass, looked at yourself in the mirror, & said what a 'beautiful couple' we made? #MeToo."

"Jeremy Piven, on two occasions, cornered me & forcefully fondled my breasts & bum. Once at the mansion & once on set. #MeToo @AriMelber @CNN," she added, tagging Piven's former co-star Ari Melber.

HBO, which aired Entourage from 2004 to 2011, issued a statement Tuesday in the wake of Bellamar's allegations.

"Today, via the press reports, is the first we are hearing about Ariane Bellamar's allegations concerning Jeremy Piven," the network said. "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."

CBS, which broadcasts Piven's show Wisdom of the Crowd, also responded, telling Deadline the network is "aware of the media reports" and is "looking into the matter."