Gérard Depardieu found guilty of sexual assault in landmark French trial
PARIS – A French court on Tuesday found Gérard Depardieu guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set, sentencing the French film icon to an 18-month suspended prison term.
Judges said both women gave consistent, credible accounts of being groped by the actor, with witness testimony supporting their claims.
While the court acknowledged some uncertainty around the timing and location of Sarah’s assault, it emphasized the strength of her descriptions and corroboration.
Depardieu, 76, had denied all wrongdoing, and his lawyer said he would appeal.
The verdict marks a major moment for France’s long-stalled reckoning with #MeToo, and with broader questions about how assault is defined, particularly within the film industry.
“With this decision, we can no longer say [that Gérard Depardieu] is not a sexual abuser,” Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, a lawyer for one of the victims, told reporters outside the courtroom shortly after the verdict was announced.
The case was originally expected to be heard in late 2024, but it was postponed multiple times, first due to scheduling issues, and then for medical reasons cited by the defense.
The trial opened in March 2025 and lasted four days.
Prosecutors in March asked for the 18-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of up to €200,000 (roughly $221,000).
People told my dad not to bother educating his 4 daughters. He didn’t listen
On Father's Day, Esther Ngumbi thinks of the sacrifices her Kenyan dad made to ensure that not only his son but his four daughters got an education. He'd say, "I choose to educate you, my girls."
3 takeaways from the military parade and No Kings protests on Trump’s birthday
The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary on Saturday with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., against a backdrop of political division and protests savaging President Trump.
Israel and Iran trade more deadly strikes in third day of escalating conflict
At least ten people were killed in Israel overnight, after multiple Iranian missiles evaded the country's advanced defense systems. Explosions rocked Tehran, but casualties weren't immediately clear.
Advice for trying GLP-1 drugs for weight loss from a doctor who’s been there
Former FDA chief Dr. David Kessler says the new weight-loss drugs are a powerful tool to fight obesity. But they come with pitfalls. Here's his tips for how to use them successfully.
On World Elder Abuse Day officials warn of financial scams targeting seniors
Sunday, June 15 is World Elder Abuse Day, a time officials raise awareness for seniors about potential scams they could come into contact with. According to FBI data, seniors lost $4.8 billion to scammers in 2024.
Could this city be the model for how to tackle the housing crisis and climate change?
Vienna has a way to make affordable housing and combat climate change all at the same time. Now U.S. cities want in, and they're building their own green housing.
