Actor Michael Pitt, widely recognized for his television appearances in “Boardwalk Empire” and “Dawson’s Creek,” faces serious accusations of sexually assaulting his former girlfriend. Allegations include choking her and attacking her with a cinder block, as well as using a piece of lumber at his New York residence. A grand jury has indicted Pitt on multiple charges.
The 44-year-old actor was arrested with charges encompassing nine counts, such as first-degree sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, assault, attempted assault, and strangulation. These accusations stem from four separate incidents reported between April 2020 and August 2021 at Pitt’s Bushwick, Brooklyn home.
The Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, has refrained from commenting further than what is disclosed in the indictment.
Representing Pitt, lawyer Jason Goldman refuted the accusations, asserting the availability of evidence proving his client’s innocence and expressing optimism that the case will be dismissed. Goldman criticized the arrest, suggesting that, “Unfortunately, we live in a world where someone like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never even contemplate these crimes — can face arrest based on the unverified claims of an unreliable source.”
He continued, “This unwarranted claim is especially troubling, arising suspiciously four to five years after the incidents in question, during a time when the two had a consensual relationship.”
Pitt, maintaining his innocence, entered a not guilty plea in court and secured his release on a $100,000 bail. His next court appearance in Brooklyn is scheduled for June 17.
In line with ethical journalism standards, alleged victims of sexual abuse are not identified unless they choose to publicly disclose their identities, which the woman involved in Pitt’s case has not done.
According to the indictment, Pitt is accused of forcibly touching his former girlfriend sexually in April 2020. It further alleges that in August 2020, he coerced her into oral sex and assaulted her with a 4-inch-by-4-inch wooden block. Additionally, the document claims he twice attacked her with a cinder block in June 2021 and strangled her in August 2021.
Reports from TMZ in 2022 highlighted Pitt’s arrest in Brooklyn for allegedly assaulting a man, seizing his phone, and later being hospitalized following a public disturbance in New York while under police supervision.
Pitt, originating from West Orange, New Jersey, portrayed the character Jimmy Darmody on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” The ensemble, led by Steve Buscemi, received Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2011 and 2012 for their outstanding performance in a drama series, alongside a Golden Globe award in 2011 for best drama series.
His career started gaining attention with a significant role in the 2001 film “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” In 2005, he starred in “Last Days,” a Gus Van Sant-directed film about a fictional rock star, inspired by the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. Pitt was also cast as Henry Parker on The WB’s “Dawson’s Creek” during its 1999-2000 season.