Jean-Claude Van Damme investigation: Allegations are 'grotesque' and 'unfounded,' rep says
Jean-Claude Van Damme investigation: Allegations are 'grotesque' and 'unfounded,' rep says
Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme is hitting back amid news that he is being investigated for alleged sexual relations with human trafficking victims.
A representative for the "Street Fighter" and "Bloodsport" actor, 64, said in an April 3 statement to USA TODAY, written in French, the reported claims "are both grotesque and non-existent."
"Mr. Van Damme does not wish to comment on or fuel this rumor, which is as absurd as it is unfounded," his agent, Patrick Goavec, said.
On Tuesday, the Romanian government's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, a law enforcement branch, confirmed to USA TODAY that a complaint against Van Damme was submitted April 2.
According to DIICOT's statement, translated from Romanian, the complaint "was transmitted to the Territorial Service for competent resolution." The agency also noted that the contents of any reports "pending before the criminal investigation bodies" is not made public.
Jean-Claude Van Damme had sexual relations with trafficked Romanian women, lawyer alleges
On April 1, news of the complaint against Van Damme emerged via reports from various Romanian news outlets.
CNN affiliate Antena 3, TV news station Antena 1 and newspaper HotNews reported Romanian lawyer Adrian Cuculis said in a statement last week that Van Damme is accused of knowingly having sexual relations in Cannes with five Romanian women who had been trafficked. An alleged victim came forward to provide testimony, Cuculis reportedly said.
The claim reportedly emerged amid DIICOT's investigation into a network engaged in human trafficking, including minors.
According to Antena 3, DIICOT will continue to gather evidence before Romanian prosecutors determine whether to initiate criminal proceedings.
Van Damme, a Belgium-born martial artist-turned actor, has three children from five marriages. "Bloodsport" was his breakout role in 1988, and he went on achieve action icon status through films like 1989's "Kickboxer," 1991's "Double Impact," 1994's "Street Fighter" and 1997's "Double Team".
He also appeared in "The Expendables 2" (2012) and the one-season Amazon Prime Video series "Jean-Claude Van Johnson," which was produced by Ridley Scott.
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