“The Fifth Element” director Luc Besson has been accused of drugging and raping a young actress in a Paris hotel, according to multiple media reports.
As first reported by Europe 1, the unidentified woman, who has worked with Besson on two movies, filed a complaint with authorities Friday morning, accusing him of drugging her tea and then sexually abusing her while she was unconscious.
According to the French broadcast station, the woman said she awoke with memories of touching and penetration, adding that Besson left the hotel room before she did, and he left behind a wad of cash.
Reps for Besson did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment, but an attorney for the director told Europe 1 “Besson fell off his chair upon hearing of the complaint’s existence.” He does acknowledge knowing the actress, but denied drugging or raping her.
Besson’s films include “Lucy” with Scarlett Johansson, the “Taken” trilogy with Liam Neeson, and “I Love You Phillip Morris” with Jim Carrey.