There is no denying the incredible talent of French actor Gérard Depardieu. His performance as Cyrano de Bergerac in “Cyrano” and his charm in the witty comedy “Green Card” are testaments to his acting ability. Always a large man, Depardieu seems to be letting himself go lately.
Now, after a DUI, the famous Frenchman may actually become a Russian than face the music. As reported in newsfeed.time.com.
Depardieu was a no-show at a Paris court waiting to try him on drunk-driving charges. It was only a month ago that he decided to take up residence in Belgium to protest rising income taxes in France and his equally surprising acceptance this month of an offer of Russian citizenship.
DUI May Be The Factor
Failing to appear sends his DUI charge to criminal court, meaning Depardieu now has reasons beyond high French taxes to avoid his homeland: a possible two-year prison sentence should he be convicted, for starters.
It all began when Depardieu was involved in a minor accident Depardieu while piloting his scooter with what turned out to be nearly four times the legal limit of alcohol in his system. Yet rather than plead guilty and receive a modest fine as planned, Depardieu’s absence means his charges will now be sent to criminal court, where he’ll face maximum penalties of $5,850 in fines and up to two years in the clink.
Once one of the most famous men in his country, I am sure there are many French who wish to seem him prosecuted to the full-extent of the law. I hope he gets sober while in Russia, though I do not like his chances. Perhaps he should enroll in a good online DUI class.