Gerard Depardieu Fights Back in Court: Denies All Sexual Assault Allegations!

During his second appearance at the criminal court in Paris, the renowned French actor Gerard Depardieu refuted sexual assault claims made against him by two women—a set decorator and an assistant director—with whom he had worked on the film “The Green Shutters” in the south of France during 2021.

Depardieu, aged 76, asserted in court, “I am not someone who would indecently touch others in the subway,” while his lawyer, Jeremy Assous, suggested that his client was the target of a “conspiracy,” as reported by the local news source FrancetvInfo.

Facing the allegations, Depardieu, a pillar of French cinema with roles in over 150 movies including the classic “Cyrano de Bergerac” directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (approximately $81,000).

Amelie K., a set decorator for “The Green Shutters,” has charged Depardieu with sexually assaulting and harassing her on September 10, 2021, during the production. She recounted an instance where Depardieu allegedly made several vulgar remarks and physically restrained her in a corridor, fondling her waist, hips, and chest. In his defense, Depardieu claimed in the courtroom that his action of grabbing her hips was merely to prevent a fall.

Describing the context of another accusation, Depardieu recounted, “It’s Friday, it’s hot, it’s humid, […] I weigh 150 kg, I’m in a foul mood. A woman is giving me a peculiar look, she’s quite attractive but seems aloof, holding her phone,” as reported by AFP and Sattelifacts. He explained that he was irritated by her work and almost slipped while they were having a tense conversation. When questioned about his alleged inappropriate remarks, Depardieu retorted, “What do you mean, vulgar? Is it saying ‘pussy’? I use the word frequently, even jokingly to myself. I find it amusing.”

Another woman, Engela W., who served as the assistant to director Jean Becker on “The Green Shutters,” accused Depardieu of sexual assault on August 31, 2021. She filed a complaint on March 21, 2024, alleging that Depardieu had inappropriately touched her buttocks on the street, her breasts on the set a few days later, and her buttocks again on a separate occasion. The magazine The Bangin Beats reached out to Depardieu’s attorney, Jérémie Assous, for comments on the outcome of the trial.

Depardieu’s legal counsel spoke to French radio station RMC, stating, “My client is eager to present his side of the story as he is besieged by unfounded allegations,” and he added that they anticipate shifting the case’s perception to favor Depardieu.

In a related matter, since December 16, 2020, Depardieu has been formally charged over accusations from actress Charlotte Arnould made in 2018 concerning rape and sexual assault. Arnould was present in the Paris court, along with actor Anouk Grinberg, who has shown support for Depardieu’s accusers. Grinberg was removed from the courtroom after vocalizing during the proceedings.

The trial, initially set for October 28, was delayed due to Depardieu’s health issues.

In August, the Paris prosecutor advocated for Depardieu’s referral to the departmental criminal court on charges of rape and sexual assault allegedly committed on August 7 and 13, 2018. The decision now rests with the examining magistrate to determine the course of these proceedings.

Furthermore, Depardieu has been implicated by 13 women in instances of sexual misconduct in a report by the French investigative news website Médiapart in April 2023. Depardieu has strongly denied all allegations, and in October 2024, he wrote in Le Figaro, asserting, “I have never abused a woman.”