- Thursday, May 08, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Actor Michael Pitt, best known for his role as Jimmy Darmody in HBO’s hit series Boardwalk Empire, has been indicted on multiple serious criminal charges including sexual abuse, assault, and strangulation.
The 44-year-old actor was arrested in Brooklyn on Friday (2), following a grand jury indictment in connection with alleged violent incidents involving his ex-girlfriend between April 2020 and August 2021.
According to legal documents reviewed by The Times, Pitt faces nine criminal counts: two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of second-degree assault, one count of second-degree strangulation, two counts of criminal sexual acts, and two counts of attempted assault.
The indictment outlines four separate alleged incidents during the couple’s relationship. Pitt appeared in court on Friday, pleaded not guilty, and was released on $100,000 bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for June 17 in Brooklyn.
Pitt’s legal team has strongly denied the charges. His attorney, Jason Goldman, issued a statement declaring the accusations to be baseless and emphasized that the defense has already gathered evidence that could potentially exonerate the actor. “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 unreliable individual,” Goldman stated.
Goldman also questioned the timing and credibility of the allegations. “This baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, from a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual relationship,” he added. “We have already uncovered exonerating evidence and this case will be dismissed.”
The indictment paints a disturbing picture. In April 2020, Pitt allegedly forcibly touched the complainant’s genitals. In a separate incident in August 2020, the actor reportedly forced oral sex on the woman and allegedly assaulted her with a four-by-four plank of wood.
In June 2021, Pitt is accused of striking her with a cinderblock. The final incident cited in the indictment occurred in August 2021, when Pitt allegedly choked the woman. The identity of the complainant has been withheld for privacy.
A spokesperson for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter. However, sources close to the case have confirmed that all charges stem from a pattern of alleged abuse over the course of more than a year.
This is not the first time Pitt has made headlines for troubling behavior. In recent years, the actor has faced scrutiny for public outbursts and erratic conduct, although none previously escalated to criminal charges of this magnitude.
Pitt rose to fame through his work in critically acclaimed films and television series. Aside from his pivotal role in Boardwalk Empire, he appeared in the teen drama Dawson’s Creek, the horror series Hannibal, and guest-starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His film credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Dreamers, Hugo, and Ghost in the Shell.
The entertainment industry is watching closely as this case unfolds, especially in the wake of several other high-profile legal battles involving celebrities and abuse allegations.
With a trial likely to follow if the case proceeds, Pitt’s legal fate — and possibly his acting career — now hangs in the balance.
As the June court date approaches, further developments are expected. The public and legal community alike await to see whether the evidence brought forth will support or dismantle the serious accusations levied against Michael Pitt.
