Hasta La Ideas

Seven months after news swept the planet that fashion designer John Galliano had gotten into some serious trouble for yelling racial slurs in a Paris bar, which resulted in a lengthy trial and him losing his high-profile job at Dior, the whole thing has come to an end. Late yesterday, the NY Times reports that a French court found the designer guilty and handed down a sentence, a fine of $8,500 for his very public and videotaped anti-Semitic rant. However, the court also decided that, because Galliano had made several amends and apologies, and had sought treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, that fine would be suspended, so long as he doesn’t do it again (at least not anywhere in France). So while it’s likely a more positive and fortunate day for the designer than many of late have been, few would claim that he’s come out of this whole situation scott free. Here’s a bit:

The charges of public insults for reasons of religion, race or ethnicity carried a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $32,175 fine. The court said that it took into consideration Mr. Galliano’s apology for the outbursts and his decision to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse in deciding his sentence. Mr. Galliano, who was fired as the creative director of Dior when the charges surfaced, had told the French court that he remembered nothing about the incidents, and at the time was debilitated by job stress and addiction to Valium and alcohol.

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