Public prosecutor Anne de Fontette had called for a fine of no less than $10,000, or $14,100 at current exchange, while Galliano’s lawyer Aurélien Hamelle had argued for his client for be acquitted. The maximum penalty in France for insulting someone on the basis of their origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity is six months in jail and a fine of 22,500 euros, or $32,000.
Galliano, who was absent at the hearing, was detained by police in late February following an altercation with plaintiffs Geraldine Bloch and Philippe Virgiti at the La Perle cafe near his home. A third plaintiff, Fatiha Oumeddour, later came forward and said he also hurled anti-Semitic insults at her on another date.
British tabloid newspaper The Sun made public an undated video, filmed on yet another occasion, which shows the designer saying in a slurred voice, “I love Hitler.” The footage was shown to the court at Galliano’s trial on June 22.
The designer testified that he remembered nothing of the incidents, adding that he was suffering from addictions to alcohol, sleeping pills and Valium at the time of the events, which prompted his dismissal from Christian Dior in March after 15 years as creative director and also caused him to be ousted from his signature fashion house.
Galliano, who has since sought treatment for his addictions, apologized several times to the plaintiffs and the court. “All my life I’ve fought against prejudice and intolerance and discrimination because I have been subjected to it myself,” he said, referring to his homosexuality.
Source: WWD
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