Actress: I was raped by Gerard Depardieu

Star probed on claims in Paris

HOLLYWOOD star Gerard Depardieu is being probed after a young actress claimed he raped and sexually assaulted her. The Green Card actor allegedly abused the woman in his Paris home on August 7 and 13. The complaint is being handled by the city prosecutor’s office and the star’s lawyer Herve Temime said: “Gerard Depardieu denies any wrongdoing. He will co-operate in the investigation and will answer questions.”

The complainant is reportedly a comedian and actress in her 20s.

She is understood to have known Depardieu before the alleged crimes and was said to have been “devastated” before speaking to police in southern France.

Mr Temime said last night: “I had a long meeting with Gerard and I am absolutely convinced his innocence will be established.”

He added: “He absolutely denies any attack, any rape.”

Depardieu, 69, has been dating Clementine Igou, 41, a marketing expert for a wine company, since 2007.

He has had a long career in France and Hollywood, starring in more than 170 films.

He featured opposite Andie Mcdowell in 1990 comedy Green Card and other hits include Cyrano de Bergerac and Babylon AD.

In 2014 he revealed he starts boozing before 10am and swigs up to 14 bottles of wine in a day.