Harassment allegation
Gérard Depardieu calls in sick – but the trial begins anyway
For years, several women have accused Gérard Depardieu of sexual assault. However, on the day the trial began, his doctors vetoed his appearance in court.
French actor Gérard Depardieu wants the trial against him on suspicion of sexual harassment postponed for health reasons. “Gérard Depardieu is deeply affected and unfortunately his doctors have forbidden him to appear at the hearing,” said the film icon’s lawyer, Jérémie Assous, on France Info. The 75-year-old asked for a rescheduling so that he could be present in person. It was said that the actor would like to speak. The lawyer announced that he would ask for the appointment to be postponed because his client wanted to comment. But he was unsuccessful: the trial has now begun without Depardieu, as the AFP news agency reports.
French film icon Gérard Depardieu has to go to court for the first time on suspicion of sexually harassing two women. Both cases are said to have occurred in 2021 while filming the film “Les volets verts” (The Green Shutters) by director Jean Becker. According to the Paris public prosecutor’s office, if he is found guilty, the actor could face penalties of up to five years in prison and an additional fine of 75,000 euros. The verdict was actually supposed to be handed down on Monday.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the two women – a decorator and an assistant to the director – accuse the actor of groping their breasts and buttocks, among other things.
Further trials could follow for Gérard Depardieu
In 2018, actress Charlotte Arnould sued him. She claims that Depardieu raped and sexually abused her in his apartment. Arnould was 22 years old at the time. The judiciary has been investigating the matter since 2020. Depardieu denied the allegations.
Depardieu is one of the most famous French actors. But in recent years, a dozen women have come forward to accuse him of alleged sexual assault. Due to the series of allegations, some of which were made anonymously against the former star and not all of which ended up on the desk of investigators, as well as misogynistic comments, he is now controversial in France.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated.
DPA · AFP
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Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
