Dispute over residence: New investigations against Gérard Depardieu

Dispute over residence New investigations against Gérard Depardieu 25.02.2025, 09:54

The French judiciary is investigating Gérard Depardieu for sexual assault. Now the film star is facing new legal trouble. Further investigations are allegedly underway against him on charges of tax fraud and money laundering.

Gérard Depardieu is said to have declared a false tax residence in Belgium since 2013. The French judiciary has been investigating the French actor for serious tax offenses since February 2024, reports the French daily newspaper "Le Monde" citing an insider. According to the report, the allegations are related to tax fraud and money laundering. "Mediapart" had previously reported on the allegations against Depardieu.

In December 2012, Gérard Depardieu announced that he would move to Belgium for tax reasons, according to the report. The move was a protest against the wealth tax planned by then-French President François Hollande. The actor settled in Néchin, a Belgian municipality near the French border.

After criticism of his move, Depardieu is said to have threatened to give up his French passport. In January 2013, the actor received Russian citizenship, which was awarded to him personally by Vladimir Putin.

The tax investigation is not the only legal case that the French film star, who has appeared in more than 200 films and series, is currently facing. A trial has already been scheduled for March in a Paris court in which Gérard Depardieu will have to answer for alleged sexual assaults on two women in 2021. In October, the criminal trial was postponed because Depardieu had become ill, it was said. A medical report on whether Depardieu is fit to stand trial should be submitted by the beginning of March.

allegations of sexual misconduct

The lawsuit accuses the French star of sexual assault that allegedly occurred in September 2021 on the set of Jean Becker's film "Les volets verts". One of the alleged victims filed a complaint for "sexual coercion, sexual harassment and sexist insults" in February 2024. According to media reports, the 75-year-old faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros if convicted. Depardieu denies the allegations.

In total, around 20 women have accused Depardieu of various sexual offenses in recent years. The public prosecutor's office is also investigating Depardieu for allegedly raping his acting colleague Charlotte Arnould. He denies this accusation as well. No charges have yet been brought in this case.