Designer John Galliano heads to rehab but will stand trial over racist rant
(HMG Celebrity News) – Disgraced Dior fashion designer John Galliano, will face trial over one of two incidents at a Paris café during which he allegedly hurled anti-Semitic and racist abuse. The Paris Prosecutors Office has issued a statement saying it has decided to put John Galliano on trial for his rant against at Géraldine Bloch, 35, and her companion Philippe Virgiti, 41, following a police investigation. Galliano could face up to six months in prison, and up to $31,200 in fines, if convicted. Earlier today, Galliano, who was fired from his role as creative director of Christian Dior over the allegations, issued a personal statement via WSJ, completely denying the claims made against him, but renouncing anti-Semitism and racism, and apologizing unreservedly for any offense his behavior has caused.
Since the events of last Thursday evening I have not been able to make any public comment on what took place based upon advice from my French lawyer. However, given the continuing delays at the French Prosecutor’s Office I should make my position clear. I completely deny the claims made against me and have fully co-operated with the police investigation.
A number of independent witnesses have given evidence and have told the police that I was subjected to verbal harassment and an unprovoked assault when an individual tried to hit me with a chair having taken violent exception to my look and my clothing. For these reasons I have commenced proceedings for defamation and the threats made against me.
However, I fully accept that the accusations made against me have greatly shocked and upset people. I must take responsibility for the circumstances in which I found myself and for allowing myself to be seen to be behaving in the worst possible light. I only have myself to blame and I know that I must face up to my own failures and that I must work hard to gain people’s understanding and compassion. To start this process I am seeking help and all I can hope for in time is to address the personal failure which led to these circumstances and try and earn people’s forgiveness.”
Galliano said he has fought prejudice, intolerance and discrimination and that he has been subjected to it himself. Uniting people “of every race, creed, religion and sexuality” by celebrating their diversity through fashion remains his “guiding light,” he said. However it’s hard to ignore hearing him say in a video obtained by Britain’s Sun newspaper: “I love Hitler! Your mother, your forefathers would be f—ing gassed and f—ing dead.”
Galliano is now believed to have left France to enter rehabilitation on Wednesday, according to New York Times sources.
According to the sources he was persuaded to accept treatment for his alcohol problems by close colleagues and friends like the supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, the sources said. While the treatment center is not known, it is likely that his destination is The Meadows, a facility in Wickenberg, Arizona, where Elton John and Donatella Versace were treated in recent years.
