Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
BREAKING NEWS

Trial Of Ex-Dior Designer John Galliano Begins In Paris

//wenn

Jun. 22 2011, Published 5:30 a.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to Email

By Adam S. Levy

RadarOnline.com Staff Writer

Fired Dior designer John Galliano goes on trial Wednesday, as the once-celebrated fashion guru stands accused of hurling anti-Semitic slurs in separate incidents at a Paris, France café over the past year.

The 50-year-old fashion designer is accused of making "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity;" he faces up to six months in prison, and fines totaling $32,175 in American currency.

Article continues below advertisement

In February, a couple reported the designer hurled Anti-Semitic slurs at them. Shortly following that, the UK Sun posted a video taken at the same cafe the prior October; in it, Galliano said toward someone he thought was Jewish: "I love Hitler ... If he were a ruler, people like you would be dead ... your mothers, your forefathers, would all be f------ gassed."

Both incidents will be addressed at Wednesday’s hearing.

The video caught the attention of Academy Award winner -- and Dior endorser -- Natalie Portman, who made it clear to Galliano's then-employer she’d quit if he were kept on the payroll.

"I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano's comments that surfaced today," Portman told the New York Times March 1. "In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way.”

MORE ON:
Mel Gibson
Article continues below advertisement

That very same day, Dior announced that “because of the particularly odious nature of the behavior and words of John Galliano in a video made public ... the Christian Dior house has decided to lay him off immediately and has begun firing procedures against him.”

Since being let go from his employer of 14 years, Galliano claims he has sought rehab to quell his problems with alcohol and prescription drugs, which his lawyer, Aurelien Hamelle, claims spurred the racist tantrums.

"Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society," Galliano said in a statement this week. "I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offense."

RELATED STORIES:

WORLD EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: Mel Gibson's Explosive Racist Rant -- Listen To It Here

Adolf Hitler Sympathizer Lars von Trier Persona Non Grata At Cannes

Advertisement

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 Radar Media Group LLC. RADAR and RADARONLINE are registered trademarks. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.