SHORT TAKES : Kennedy’s Role in Soap Denied

A report that John F. Kennedy Jr. was negotiating to appear in a soap opera was incorrect, a spokesman for Kennedy said Thursday. A producer who was quoted as the source of the report has since said he did not provide the information.

A man who identified himself as producer Ruben Malaret told the Associated Press on Monday that he had negotiated with the late President’s son about a part in a projected soap opera, “Families.”

In a telephone conversation Wednesday, a man identifying himself as Malaret denied that he had ever spoken to Kennedy about the part and denied that he had discussed the subject with the AP. He agreed to meet with an AP reporter on Thursday, but he did not appear.

AP reporters said the caller identifying himself as Malaret on Monday and Wednesday sounded like the same person.

Kennedy’s office referred questions about the report to Michael Berman, who acts as his spokesman. Berman said Kennedy had never talked with anyone about the soap opera and would not consider such an appearance. “That story is just absolutely not true,” he said.

Kennedy works as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.