Gérard Depardieu Convicted of Sexual Assault: Suspended Sentence and Sex Offender Registry

French actor Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. The court sentenced the 76-year-old actor to an 18-month suspended prison sentence and fined him €29,040. He will also be registered in the national sex offender database. The accusations stem from incidents during the filming of "Les Volets Verts," where Depardieu allegedly groped a set dresser and an assistant. Depardieu, who denies the allegations, was not present at the hearing, and his lawyer has announced plans to appeal the decision. The court found the testimonies of the accusers to be consistent and credible. The verdict has been described as a significant moment for the French film industry and its handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The case was widely viewed as a post-#MeToo movement test of how French society and its film industry would handle allegations of sexual misconduct involving high-profile individuals. Following the sentencing, Depardieu's lawyer stated that they would appeal the court's decision. In recent years, the French actor has faced a growing number of sexual assault allegations, with about 20 women coming forward with accusations, but this case was the first to go to court.