Galliano's Court Date Set For June 22 In France

PARIS — Former Dior designer John Galliano will go on trial on June 22 on charges that he made racist insults, accusations that rocked the fashion world and cost him his coveted job.

Galliano's downfall began in February when he was detained in a drunken state and questioned about accusations that he hurled anti-Semitic insults at a couple in a Parisian cafe. The couple filed a legal complaint, and another woman then accused him of similar insults.

The Paris court announced the trial date Thursday. Prosecutors have said Galliano could face up to six months in prison and euro22,500 ($31,000) in fines, if convicted of "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity."

Soon after the initial allegations, a video circulated online in which the designer praised Adolf Hitler.

On the eve of Paris Fashion Week, Dior fired Galliano after 14 years with the company and denounced his comments.

Galliano issued a statement at the time saying: "Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offense." Galliano also said he was "seeking help" for his personal failures, without elaborating.

After joining Dior in 1996, Galliano made an indelible mark on the storied house, with theatrical, often outrageous, runway shows that were among the most-anticipated displays on the Paris fashion calendar.

Comments

[butchcliff]

07:48 AM on 05/17/2011

Hope he doesn't wear that outfit to court

[Big0725]

07:48 PM on 05/12/2011

How can take seriously someone dressed like that?

[Max Shaw]

04:46 PM on 05/12/2011

And sadly, at the end of the day, he will have learned nothing from this except not to say Anti-Semitic things unless he's at a Klan meeting...

[sho-nuff]

02:56 PM on 05/12/2011

absolutely ridiculous...in a country ordering a ban on Muslim veils...hypocrisy 101 on full display

[PaticaDeGato]

06:03 PM on 05/12/2011

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Had he insulted Muslims, Zarko might've invited him to dinner.

[Daisytoo]

09:11 PM on 05/12/2011

Had he insulted Muslims, he wouldn't have been alive for his rehab treatment.

[Patrick Shaw]

11:17 AM on 05/12/2011

"Prosecutors have said Galliano could face up to six months in prison and euro22,500 ($31,000) in fines, if convicted of "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity."

Hmm....and now we know why Fox News does not have a Paris Bureau.

[tcnsrq]

12:10 PM on 05/12/2011

Rupert can't get away with the crap we endure or the Brits and the Aussies.

[Cakey4814]

01:37 PM on 05/12/2011

Exactly..

[Ergon]

10:57 AM on 05/12/2011

He might be found guilty, or innocent.
But the people who took the video and misrepresented the nature of his statements would still be ugly :)

[Brian Gorrell]

10:39 AM on 05/12/2011

I think this is overkill.
Leave the guy alone.
He paid a huge price.
That's enough.
And I'm a Jew!

[Ergon]

11:00 AM on 05/12/2011

Faved. And he says that's his parentage too, though he's non-observant.

[sho-nuff]

02:53 PM on 05/12/2011

seriously...

[martyfrancom]

10:35 AM on 05/12/2011

I think he should be put on trial for the way he dresses. THAT is a crime.

[Ergon]

10:58 AM on 05/12/2011

But the clothes he designs are stunning.

[martyfrancom]

12:31 PM on 05/12/2011

Yeah, what's with that?

[jeana21]

10:31 AM on 05/12/2011

I don't like what he said but I respect his right to say it; freedom of speech cuts both ways.

[Patrick Shaw]

11:21 AM on 05/12/2011

How does anyone have the right to verbally abuse another person's race in public ?

If Mr. Fancy Pants had done that in NYC most likely he's have been beaten.

It is called ' Disturbing the Peace' for a reason, to prevent possible violence.

[jeana21]

12:14 PM on 05/12/2011

Freedom of Speech doesn't protect just the speech you like to hear. I may not like the Klan but as an American, I cannot afford to not give them the right to speak.

[Big0725]

07:52 PM on 05/12/2011

And those who beat him would be committing a felony. The only time you can be arrested for it is when it intentionally creates a public safety problem.