Paul Schrader accused of sexually harassing assistant, reneging on settlement agreement
Renowned screenwriter and director Paul Schrader, famous for his work on Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, is facing legal accusations of sexually harassing his former assistant.
The 26-year-old woman, identified as Jane Doe, claims Schrader grabbed and kissed her against her will at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. According to the legal filing, after she protested and fled the room, Schrader summoned her to his hotel room days later, where he allegedly exposed himself to her.
Schrader's legal team has denied the accusations, calling them "loaded with inaccuracies" and "materially misleading." The woman's attorneys further allege that Schrader's lawyers initially agreed to a settlement but that Schrader later backed out after "soul searching." They are now seeking to enforce the agreement in New York state court, along with recovery of attorneys' fees.
The woman alleges that Schrader made repeated inappropriate sexual advances during their three-and-a-half-year working relationship, which included expressing affection toward her both verbally and through emails. She further claims that she was fired after rejecting his advances in September 2023.
Schrader's lawyer, Philip Kessler, argues that since the settlement was never signed, it cannot be enforced. He also highlighted that the woman had previously spoken favorably about Schrader on social media, suggesting her allegations may be opportunistic.
Schrader, who received a Venice Golden Lion for career achievement in 2022, is expected to face further legal proceedings.
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