Galliano Files Defamation Claim, Will Face Accuser Monday

WWD reports that the Paris public prosecutor's office has ordered John Galliano to meet his accuser, Geraldine Bloch, on Monday afternoon. Galliano's lawyer Stephane Zerbib told the fashion newspaper, "If the public prosecutor's office decides it is an emergency case, things could go very quickly."

WWD adds that the penalty for defamation, which Galliano is suing Bloch for, can be one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros ($61,884). The Associated Press writes that making anti-Semitic remarks, which Galliano is accused of (and which is illegal in France), can result in six months in prison -- "Some public figures have been convicted on such charges in the past, but are usually given only suspended sentences."

Other points of clarification -- at least some of the insults were said in English, according to Le Figaro, including possibly the anti-Semitic remarks, further complicating the story. There is no reliable account of how the entire thing began and no word on what will happen regarding Dior's March 4 show.

Previously: John Galliano has filed a defamation claim against a couple who claimed he assaulted them and hurled anti-Semitic remarks on Thursday night, Women's Wear Daily reports.

Galliano's lawyer Stephane Zerbib told the fashion newspaper that the designer provided police three witness statements saying the comments were never uttered -- including the account of Galliano's own chauffeur.

Zerbib added, Galliano "is not guilty and is not embroiled in a court case or anything. He feels [the suspension from Dior] is a decision that has been made without verification of the facts and based on one side of the story and he is very shocked about that."

Le Figaro gained access to the police reports filed on that night -- the couple who first accused Galliano of making the remarks is named as Geraldine Bloch, 35, and Philippe Virgiti, 41. The incident started around 9 p.m. at La Perle in Paris' Third Arrondissement. Galliano allegedly yelled (based on our translation) "Dirty jewish face, you should be dead!" and "Fucking Asian bastard, I will kill you!" to Virgiti, who is of Asian descent. There was also some hair pulling and an assault. There is no reason given as to why it all began.


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[Source: Huffington post, WWD]