Boardwalk Empire Star Faces Sex Abuse, Strangulation Charges
Actor Michael Pitt, known for his prominent roles in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and the teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has been arrested in New York City on multiple charges including sexual abuse and strangulation. The 44-year-old actor was taken into custody on Friday, May 2, following a grand jury indictment related to four separate alleged incidents that occurred between April 2020 and August 2021, according to court records.
Pitt has entered a not guilty plea to all nine criminal counts and was released after posting bail, as reported by NJ.com. His legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as baseless claims from “an unhinged individual.”
Multiple Serious Charges Filed
According to court documents obtained by multiple news outlets, Pitt faces an array of serious charges, including two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of first-degree criminal sexual act, one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree attempted assault, and one count of second-degree strangulation.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office indictment alleges that the charges stem from four separate incidents. The first allegedly took place around April 19, 2020, when prosecutors claim Pitt touched an individual’s intimate areas “by means of forcible compulsion,” according to People magazine.
Additional alleged incidents occurred in August 2020 and June 2021, with the indictment specifying that Pitt allegedly assaulted an individual with a piece of wood in one instance and a cinder block in another. The final incident allegedly occurred in August 2021 and involved strangulation, according to the indictment.
Legal Team Disputes Allegations
Pitt’s attorney, Cary London, has issued a statement strongly refuting the charges. “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 unhinged individual,” London told People magazine. “We look forward to proving his innocence through the evidence and not through the media.”
The actor was arraigned in Kings Supreme Criminal Court in Brooklyn on May 2, where he entered a not guilty plea to all charges. According to Variety, Pitt posted bail, which various reports cite as ranging from $15,000 to $100,000, and was released from custody pending his next court appearance, scheduled for June 17.
While the indictment does not disclose how many people are accusing Pitt of the crimes or specify the nature of their relationships to him, The New York Post has reported that the charges stem from allegations made by an ex-girlfriend.
Career Background and History
Pitt is best known for his portrayal of Jimmy Darmody, the ambitious protégé to corrupt political figure Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi) in the critically acclaimed HBO series “Boardwalk Empire.” Despite the show running for five seasons, Pitt only appeared in the first two, with his character being killed off in the second season finale.
Before his role on “Boardwalk Empire,” Pitt gained recognition playing Henry Parker on “Dawson’s Creek” in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His film credits include notable roles in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “The Dreamers,” “Funny Games,” and Gus Van Sant’s “Last Days,” where he played a character inspired by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.
Industry insiders have previously suggested that Pitt’s character was written off “Boardwalk Empire” because he was reportedly difficult to work with on set. In 2012, a talent agency representative told Deadline that United Talent Agency had “fired him as a client… because he’s really difficult on set and otherwise.”
Legal Implications
The charges against Pitt carry significant potential consequences if he is convicted. In New York State, first-degree sexual abuse is a Class D felony that carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. The most serious charge, first-degree criminal sexual act, is a Class B felony that can result in a sentence of five to 25 years if convicted.
Additionally, second-degree strangulation is a Class D violent felony in New York, which typically carries a mandatory minimum sentence and could result in up to seven years in prison. The assault charges also carry substantial penalties, including potential prison time.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has declined to comment further on the case beyond the details listed in the indictment. The investigation appears to have been conducted over a significant period of time, with the alleged incidents occurring several years before charges were ultimately filed.
What’s Next in the Case
Following his release on bail, Pitt is scheduled to appear in court again on June 17 for further proceedings. As the case moves forward, prosecutors will need to present evidence supporting the charges outlined in the indictment, while Pitt’s defense team will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations and present their own evidence.
The legal process for cases involving multiple serious felony charges typically involves numerous court appearances, potential motions to dismiss or suppress evidence, and could eventually lead to either a plea agreement or a trial. Given the serious nature of the charges and Pitt’s not guilty plea, the case may take months or even years to fully resolve.
Neither Pitt nor his representatives have made additional public statements beyond the initial denial of the allegations. HBO and other production companies associated with the actor have also not issued any statements regarding the charges or his employment status on any current or future projects.
