May 13, (THEWILL) – French actor, Gérard Depardieu, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021.
A court in Paris sentenced the 75-year-old actor to an 18-month suspended prison sentence, placed him on a sex offenders list, and ordered him to pay each victim €1,000 in compensation.
Depardieu, who was absent during the trial as he was working on a film in the Azores, denied the allegations, claiming any physical contact was accidental or to keep his balance. His lawyer, however, announced plans to appeal the verdict.
The allegations were based on statements made by two women: Amélie, a set dresser, and an assistant director who chose to stay anonymous. Both testified that Depardieu inappropriately touched them and made lewd remarks during filming.
“I was terrified, he was laughing”, Amélie told the court.
The court noted inconsistencies in the actor’s testimony while affirming the credibility of the victims’ accounts.
Depardieu, an Oscar-nominated star, faces renewed scrutiny amid multiple unresolved sexual misconduct allegations in France and abroad.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
