French prosecutors have closed an investigation into allegations of rape and sexual assault against model agency boss Gérald Marie, citing the statute of limitations. The Paris prosecutors' office determined that the alleged crimes, which occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, were too old to be prosecuted under French law.
The justice ministry confirmed the case was closed on 13 February due to the statute of limitations for public action. Marie's lawyer, Celine Bekerman, welcomed the decision, stating that her client 'welcomed the closing of this case' and that 'the justice system has finally triumphed despite the outrageous media campaign.'
One of the women who filed a complaint told AFP that she plans to appeal the decision and will continue a civil complaint against Marie alongside other women. The case is part of a broader wave of sexual assault allegations in the French fashion industry following the #MeToo movement.
Another prominent figure, model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, was charged with the rape of minors in December 2020 but died by suicide in a Paris prison in February last year.
