American actor Michael Pitt, known for his roles in Boardwalk Empire and Dawson’s Creek, has been indicted in New York City on multiple charges of sexual abuse and assault involving his former girlfriend, stemming from a series of alleged incidents between 2020 and 2021.
According to a grand jury indictment filed in Brooklyn, the 44-year-old actor faces nine charges, including first-degree sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, assault, attempted assault, and strangulation. The alleged acts occurred at Pitt’s home in Bushwick, Brooklyn, across four separate incidents between April 2020 and August 2021.
Among the most serious accusations, Pitt is alleged to have sexually assaulted the woman in April 2020, forced her to perform oral sex in August 2020, attacked her with a 4-by-4-inch piece of lumber, and later assaulted her with a cinder block on two occasions in June 2021. He is also accused of choking her in August 2021.
Pitt’s attorney, Jason Goldman, strongly denied the allegations. In a statement to The Associated Press, Goldman called the charges “baseless” and claimed to have evidence that will exonerate the actor.
“Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unreliable individual,” Goldman said, adding that the accusations stem from a period in which the relationship was consensual and are being raised several years after the fact.
Pitt pleaded not guilty to all charges during a court appearance on Friday and was released on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to Brooklyn court on June 17.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office declined to comment further, beyond confirming the charges listed in the indictment. The identity of the alleged victim has not been made public.
Michael Pitt, who grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, gained prominence for his role as Jimmy Darmody in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, which earned ensemble Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2011 and 2012. His earlier work includes Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Gus Van Sant’s Last Days (2005), and a recurring role as Henry Parker on Dawson’s Creek from 1999 to 2000.
Story by Obaapa Janee/ahotoronline.com
Source: CNN
