Gerard Depardieu Under Investigation for Fiscal Fraud in France While Awaiting Postponed Sexual Assault Trial

The well-known French actor Gerard Depardieu, currently facing accusations of rape and sexual assault, is now under investigation for a more severe financial fraud case within France, as reported by the French investigative news organization Mediapart.

In December 2012, Depardieu declared his intention to renounce his French nationality and relocate to Belgium, following shortly after then-president Francois Hollande announced plans for a 75% tax on income exceeding €1 million annually. He secured citizenships in Russia and Belgium, where he purchased a villa worth €1.2 million, situated close to the French border.

In a published op-ed for Le Journal du Dimanche at that time, Depardieu stated that he didn’t need to explain the “many personal” reasons for his decision. He wrote, “I am departing, having paid 85% in taxes on my income in 2012. Yet I retain the spirit of France, which was once beautiful and I wish will continue to be.”

Instead of using “At the time,” I used “In that time” for a more natural flow. “An op-ed published” is replaced with “a published op-ed”. “Depardieu said he didn’t have to justify” is changed to “he stated that he didn’t need to explain.” Instead of “behind his choice,” I used “for his decision.” “I’m leaving, after having paid in 2012 85% of taxes on my revenues” is replaced with “I am departing, having paid 85% in taxes on my income in 2012.” Instead of “But I keep the spirit of this France,” I used “Yet I retain the spirit of France.” And instead of “which used to be beautiful and I hope will remain so” I used “which was once beautiful and I wish will continue to be.”)

About a year ago, the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) initiated a preliminary investigation against Gerard Depardieu, alleging that he had fraudulently established his primary residence in Belgium to evade France’s high taxes while still residing in France. This information comes from Mediapart, which referenced legal documents, indicating that the actor’s 2013 purchased villa has been turned into a bed and breakfast but Depardieu is seldom spotted there. The investigation has led to several arrests in both France and Belgium as part of the ongoing investigation.

Jeremy Assous, Depardieu’s lawyer, has disputed the information published by Mediapart. In a statement sent to EbMaster, he stated: “Once more, the reports from Mediapart and the PNF are incorrect. For years, tax authorities have been attempting to prove fraud, but unsuccessfully. Now they’re trying again through criminal proceedings… While some might call these legal tactics questionable, they are indeed legitimate and standard.

A 75-year-old actor is scheduled to face trial on March 24 and 25 for accusations related to two alleged sexual assaults that occurred during the filming of “The Green Shutters” by Jean Becker in the South of France in August and September 2021. If found guilty, he could receive a maximum sentence of five years in prison and pay a fine of €75,000.

The actor is widely recognized as a symbol of France’s cinematic legacy, having appeared in more than 150 films throughout his career. Notable among these are “Cyrano de Bergerac,” directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and “Green Card,” where he acted alongside Andie MacDowell under the direction of Peter Weir.

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2025-02-24 19:46