Crime & justice

Gerard Depardieu Found Guilty of Sexual Assault in Paris Court

Published MAY 13 2025

Story

Above: French actor, Gerard Depardieu, leaves during a suspension of hearing as part of his trial in which he is accused of sexually assaulting two women on March 24, 2025, in Paris, France. Image credit: Chesnot/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

French actor Gerard Depardieu, 76, was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of "Les Volets Verts" in 2021, receiving an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €29,040 ($32,350) from a Paris court on Tuesday.
The Associated Press
France 24
The court convicted Depardieu of assaulting a 54-year-old set dresser who testified he trapped her between his legs and groped her, and a 34-year-old assistant director who reported he touched her buttocks and breasts on three separate occasions.
BBC News
Sky News
The Telegraph
The judge ordered Depardieu to be registered in France's national sex offender database and instructed him to pay each woman an additional €1,000 for remarks made by the actor's defense team that he found amounted to secondary victimization.
Lemonde
The Associated Press
The verdict marks the first time Depardieu has been found guilty in court. He faces approximately 20 separate public accusations of sexually inappropriate behavior, including a pending rape investigation filed by actress Charlotte Arnould in 2018.
The Hollywood Reporter
RFI
Depardieu, who did not attend the verdict hearing, has consistently denied all allegations through his lawyer, who announced they would appeal the court's decision.
Sky News
BBC News

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The verdict represents a crucial victory for victims of sexual violence and marks the end of impunity for powerful figures like Depardieu in the French entertainment industry. This landmark decision proves that artistic genius cannot excuse criminal behavior, and sends a clear message that sexual assault will be punished regardless of the perpetrator's status or contributions to culture.

Deadline

Sky News

Narrative B

This case has turned into a witch hunt that disregards the presumption of innocence and threatens to erase the legacy of one of France's greatest actors. The prosecution relied heavily on testimony without physical evidence, while ignoring Depardieu's consistent denials and decades of professional conduct. This verdict sets a dangerous precedent where media pressure can override proper judicial process.

Deadline

Mesopinions

Narrative C

The Depardieu verdict has become more than a legal outcome — it’s a mirror reflecting a divided France. On one side, a generational shift demanding accountability for sexual violence; on the other, defenders of cultural icons fearing the loss of artistic legacy. This case exposes the nation's struggle to reconcile justice with its deep reverence for artistic genius.