Mediapart’s investigation reveals serious allegations against actor Thomas Scimeca, accused of sexual and psychological violence by multiple women, including attempted rape and habitual harassment. Two complaints have been filed, detailing alarming incidents from 2015 and a relationship marked by coercion. Five other women also claim fear and harassment from him. Despite the accusations, Scimeca maintains his innocence, stating that the claims are unfounded and expressing a willingness to address the allegations in court.
On October 20, 2024, Mediapart published a detailed investigation revealing serious allegations against Thomas Scimeca. The 49-year-old actor is now embroiled in a case concerning sexual and psychological violence, a growing issue within the film and television industry. Scimeca, known for his roles as police officer Fred Prigent in season 4 of HPI and Yvan, a conspiracy candidate in Flambeau, faces accusations from multiple women, two of whom have officially filed complaints. According to the investigation, ‘seven women have come forward, implicating Thomas Scimeca in various forms of psychological and sexual violence’.
Complaints of ‘attempted rape’, ‘habitual violence’, and ‘harassment’
Mediapart’s investigation highlights involvement from several actresses in this distressing case. On October 15, actress Jeanne Faucher reportedly filed a complaint against Scimeca, accusing him of ‘attempted rape’ dating back to 2015 when she was just 22 years old. The two met at a Lyon theater following his performance in Les Armoires normandes. Faucher recounted ‘inappropriate and insistent behavior’ from Scimeca, which led her to attempt to leave the situation. However, he allegedly ‘imposed himself on her’, disregarding her ‘explicit refusals’ and compelling her to accompany him to his hotel room. She alleged that although she expressed her desire to leave, Scimeca still attempted to‘impose cunnilingus’ on her and forcibly placed her hand on his genitals.
The second complaint comes from Solène Rigot, who described experiencing ‘habitual violence’ and ‘harassment’ in her relationship with Scimeca from 2016 to 2019, as outlined by her attorney Me Gabrielle Milon. Rigot, who was 23 when she met the actor, characterized their relationship as a form of ‘mental imprisonment’, laden with compliments intermingled with insults. In June 2017, during the Cabourg festival in Normandy, she alleges he locked her on a hotel balcony in just her underwear. Worse, when she chose to have an abortion during their relationship, Scimeca reportedly displayed ‘moral harassment’ by pressuring her to reconsider, as if her body was not her own. After a subsequent breakup in 2019, Rigot claims he loitered around her building and made ‘suicide threats’. At one point, he even sent her an apology email acknowledging his past wrongdoings.
Other women voice their fears regarding Scimeca
The investigation revealed that three additional women expressed feeling ‘afraid’ of Scimeca and feared harassment. One unnamed actress shared her experience, stating that a sexual encounter became a matter of coercion, as Scimeca allegedly ‘disregarded’ her ‘consent’. Furthermore, in 2022, a technician and another actress claimed they faced a ‘confusion’ stemming from Scimeca’s behavior, which fluctuated between charming and troubling. Both women reported having sexual relations with him simultaneously and raised concerns about their health, alleging he ‘insisted on not using a condom.’ In light of these revelations, Scimeca’s agent, Elisabeth Tanner, chose to cease her representation of him. Additionally, director and actress Judith Godrèche disclosed that she was ‘warned’ about his conduct earlier in 2024 and has since severed ties with him.
When contacted for the investigation, Thomas Scimeca reportedly stated he has been enduring ‘the repercussions of these unfounded rumors for several months’. He added, ‘The facts as described are far from reality, and I am prepared to defend myself in court if given the chance.’ For now, Thomas Scimeca is presumed innocent until proven guilty.