Galliano Doesn't Remember Anti-Semitic Tirade, Blames Addiction

Standing trial in France yesterday, former Dior head designer John Galliano said he didn't remember his alleged anti-Semitic outburst at a Parisian cafe this February because of his addictions to alcohol, sleeping pills and Valium, an anti-anxiety medication.

Galliano, who is being accused of calling the plaintiffs "dirty Jewish face," said he did not remember the incident at all, the Telegraph reported.

If found guilty, Galliano's charges -- two anti-Semitic attacks -- would cost him six months in prison and a 21,000-pound fine (equivalent to nearly $34,000).

Galliano, who spent time in rehab after the incident, told the court that he got hooked on the sleeping pills, alcohol and Valium after the death of his father and his business partner, Steven Robinson, according to the Telegraph:

"My body was becoming used to the pills, so my intake increased to an amount that I actually can't remember how many I was taking."

It's illegal in France to engage in public hate speech with regard to a person's race or religion, TIME magazine reported. But Galliano's lawyer, Aurelien Hamelle, has suggested that Galliano's drug and alcohol addiction was the reason why he made those remarks, TIME said.

Valium is one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs, along with opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin and stimulants like Adderall, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Because it is a central nervous system depressant, the drug can cause calming or drowsy effects in the user.