Jean-Claude Van Damme Sex Trafficking Allegations Are 'Absurd' and 'Unfounded,' Says Actor's Agent
"We have become aware of articles alleging an alleged affair in Cannes involving Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme. The reported facts are both grotesque and non-existent," the actor's agent, Patrick Goavec, told PEOPLE in a statement translated from French on Wednesday, April 9.
"Mr. Van Damme does not wish to comment or fuel this rumor, which is as absurd as it is unfounded," the statement added.
A criminal complaint was filed with the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) against the Streetfighter star, 64, alleging that he knowingly engaged in sexual relations with women trafficked by a criminal group led by Morel Bolea, according to CNN affiliate Antena 3.
The incident allegedly took place during an event organized by Van Damme in Cannes, where the actor is accused of having received five Romanian women as a "gift" with prior knowledge that they came from a group of traffickers, according to the criminal complaint obtained by the outlet.
Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the victims, told the outlet that the women "were in a state of vulnerability, with the suspicion that they were exploited within the meaning of Article 182 of the Criminal Code."
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One woman who claimed see witnessed the incident shared what she allegedly saw with prosecutors, according to Antenna 3 CNN. This prompted the DIICOT to open a criminal investigation into the incident.
'Several Romanians who are currently being investigated for forming a criminal group and pimping, allegedly offered Jean-Claude Van Damme five Romanian women — photo models in Romania — for him to have sexual relations with. The person who received those benefits knew their condition,' attorney Adrian Cuculis told the outlet in a translated post.
Cuculis told Antena 3 that the incident is part of a larger investigation into human trafficking and the trafficking of minors that began in 2020 by the Prosecutor's Office in Romania. The next step in the case would be the High Court of Cassation in France authorizing criminal proceedings. Then, suspects identified in the case will be summoned to Romania to give statements, Antena 3 reported.Van Damme, who was born in Belgium, made his breakout with 1988's Bloodsport and went on to star in several action films including Kickboxer, Double Impact and The Expendables 2. He most recently appeared as a voice actor in 2022's Minions: Rise of Gru and 2025's The Gardener.
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