Actor Michael Pitt charged with sex abuse, assault of ex-girlfriend in New York
Actor Michael Pitt, known for his TV roles on 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Dawson's Creek,' is accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, choking her, and attacking her with a cinder block and a piece of lumber at his New York City home, according to a grand jury indictment.
Pitt, 44, whose lawyers denied the allegations, was arrested Friday on nine counts, including first-degree sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, assault, attempted assault and strangulation. The indictment cites four incidents between April 2020 and August 2021 at Pitt's home in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez's office declined to comment Wednesday beyond the allegations listed in the indictment.
Pitt's lawyer, Jason Goldman, said he already had exonerating evidence and expected the case to be dismissed.
'Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unreliable individual,' Goldman said in a text message to The Associated Press.
He added, 'In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, from a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual relationship.'
Pitt pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday and posted $100,000 bail, Goldman said. He is due back in court in Brooklyn on June 17.
The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, which the woman in Pitt's case has not done.
The indictment alleges Pitt forcibly touched his ex-girlfriend sexually in April 2020. In August 2020, the grand jury alleges Pitt forced oral sex on the woman and assaulted her with a 4-inch-by-4-inch (10-centimeter-by-10-centimeter) piece of lumber.
The indictment also says Pitt attacked her with a cinder block twice in June 2021 and choked her in August 2021.
Pitt, who grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, played the character Jimmy Darmody for two seasons on HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire,' with the cast led by Steve Buscemi winning Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2011 and 2012 for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. The show also won a Golden Globe for best drama series in 2011.
His first major role came in the 2001 film 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.' In 2005, he starred in 'Last Days,' director Gus Van Sant's film about a fictional rock star inspired by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. He also played Henry Parker in one season of The WB's 'Dawson's Creek' in 1999-2000.
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Billy Joel shares 1st message to fans since brain disorder diagnosis
Billy Joel is sharing a message with fans for the first time since revealing he was diagnosed with a rare brain condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus. Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, the directors of Joel's new documentary, "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," passed along the 76-year-old's message at the film's world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Wednesday. "Getting old sucks, but it's still preferable to getting cremated," Joel's note to fans stated. Lacy added that Joel is determined to return and "will be back." The "Piano Man" singer-songwriter announced in late May that he would be canceling his scheduled concerts under doctor's orders as a result of his diagnosis. "This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance," his team said in a statement on Joel's Instagram page at the time. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period." Normal pressure hydrocephalus is one of two types of hydrocephalus, an "abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid deep within the brain," according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that lives in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain that helps cushion the brain and the spinal cord. When the flow of CSF is somehow blocked and fluid builds up in the ventricles, it causes normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the agency. The extra fluid in the brain can cause pressure and lead to brain damage, as well as issues with walking, bladder control and thinking and reasoning. The May announcement followed an earlier postponement of Joel's tour in March, which had initially been scheduled to resume in July. At the time, Joel said in a statement on social media that he had a medical condition and he was recovering from surgery, would undergo physical therapy and was expected to make a full recovery. "While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first," he said then. "I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding." The "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" documentary features never-before-seen footage of some of Joel's performances and offers fans a glimpse into the legendary artist's private life through home videos and more. The documentary will air later this summer on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
