Jean-Claude Van Damme, the high-kicking action movie legend, is embroiled in a potentially career-ending scandal. These past few weeks, accusations have surfaced, largely reported by the UK press, that he had sex with five Romanian women that were allegedly trafficked. These supposed incidents all happened at an art day event in Cannes that was ironically hosted by Van Damme himself. These accusations have sparked a national outcry. They are linked to a larger inquiry into human trafficking which has actually been ongoing for five years in Romania.
The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) is leading an aggressive investigation into this case. Notably, they are looking into the trafficking of minors as one aspect of their probes. The filed complaint contains shocking allegations that are even worse. Five women, all models, who were allegedly offered as a “present” to Van Damme were introduced to him during the Cannes festival. This alarming implication presents major ethical and legal concerns about the actor’s participation.
Responding to the allegations, Patrick Goavec, Van Damme’s agent, has pushed back against the accusations with adamant denials. He described the allegations as “grotesque and fictitious.” He went on to say that the claims brought against the artist have no merit.
“We have become aware of articles alleging an alleged affair in Cannes involving Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme,” – Patrick Goavec
Goavec continued, saying that Van Damme doesn’t want to comment on these specious rumors. He feels that they border on the absurd and are unjustifiable.
“Mr. Van Damme does not wish to comment or fuel this rumor, which is as absurd as it is unfounded.” – Patrick Goavec
Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who’s engaged in that same lawsuit, has issued some red flags. He challenges the context of the allegations. He said the evidence shows Van Damme knew what was happening to these women.
“From the witness statements, it is very clear that Jean-Claude Van Damme knew that these people were being exploited.” – Adrian Cuculis
In an interview, Cuculis provided further details about the allegations. He said that at the Cannes festival, people who were now being investigated for creating a criminal group supposedly approached Van Damme and offered him five Romanian models for sexual intercourse.
“At one point in Cannes, at an event organized by Jean-Claude Van Damme, several Romanians who are currently being investigated for the establishment of a criminal group and pimping allegedly offered Jean-Claude Van Damme five Romanian women — photo models in Romania — for him to have sexual relations.” – Adrian Cuculis
Late 80s, early 90s, Jean-Claude Van Damme was an action star. He thrilled global audiences with mega-hit blockbusters such as “Bloodsport,” “Timecop,” and “Street Fighter.” For better or worse, he has redefined what it means to work in the action genre. Others know him for his action star persona in movies such as “Lionheart” and “The Expendables 2.” Charged with many of the same violations, despite his storied career these recent allegations have given rise to serious doubts about his character and judgment.
Van Damme has fought his own personal and professional demons. He has been married five times to four different women, one of them being Gladys Portugues and the other Darcy LaPier. He has three children: Kristopher, Bianca Brigitte, and Nicholas. Notably, Nicholas Van Damme pled guilty to disorderly conduct in 2018 after a disturbing incident where he allegedly held a roommate at knifepoint.
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