MOVIE NEWS – Acclaimed screenwriter and director Paul Schrader has issued a statement following sexual misconduct accusations made by his former assistant. Although his legal team had already commented, Schrader himself now denies all claims in a personal message: “I have nothing to hide about my conduct.”

According to Variety, the Taxi Driver screenwriter has released a detailed statement addressing the allegations raised by his former assistant—referred to by Schrader as the “plaintiff,” though all legal documentation identifies her as Jane Doe. The lawsuit accuses Schrader of exposing himself and subjecting the woman to a “sexually hostile, intimidating, and humiliating environment” between 2021 and 2024. While an out-of-court settlement was reportedly close, Schrader ultimately rejected it and published his version of events, summarized below:

“In the fall of last year, a lawyer I had never heard of, representing my former assistant, sent me a letter demanding that I pay my former assistant millions of dollars or she would go public with sensational, false and misleading accusations about our relationship and my conduct via a lawsuit. I understood that the mere assertion of such accusations would be damaging and hurtful.”

“As a result, I nearly committed to settling the claims by paying a small fraction of the amount that had been initially demanded to avoid the hurt and harm that the publicity surrounding a lawsuit with these kinds of false and misleading accusations would cause, to say nothing of the cost of litigation. Upon reflection, I changed my mind, which I believe I was legally entitled to do, and declined to sign the written settlement agreement the lawyers had prepared. I refused to bow to the coercion created by what I regard as unwarranted and opportunistic claims and resolved to defend myself.”

Schrader’s statement, directed at friends and colleagues, clarifies that the plaintiff’s complaint is not about sexual harassment but about his decision not to sign the settlement agreement. He admits that they kissed a few times, though never engaged in sexual activity. According to Schrader, when their interactions became awkward, they stopped. He claims she never expressed discomfort while working with him. In contrast, original reports allege that Schrader had sent emails acknowledging his “unwelcome and offensive” behavior.

“It is more than a little revealing that, throughout her employment, Plaintiff chose on her own to make flattering social media remarks about me, emphasizing her belief in my talent and her delight in my mentorship.”

“I understand that in the current climate a defendant accused of sexual harassment is often presumed guilty in the court of public opinion without the fairness of due process—unless and until the defendant proves his or her innocence. But that presumption is not always true. It is not true in this case. I have nothing to hide about my conduct—and that includes my decision not to yield to the pressure of my former assistant’s threat to make her sensational allegations public, a threat that she and her lawyers have now executed. If this case ever makes it to trial, I will be honest with the judge and jury who I am confident will see the truth.”

What Else Has Paul Schrader Worked On?

Schrader’s filmography includes some of Hollywood’s most iconic projects. Beyond penning Taxi Driver, he collaborated with Martin Scorsese on Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Bringing Out the Dead. As a director, he’s known for American Gigolo, Hardcore, First Reformed, and The Card Counter. His script for First Reformed earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2019.

Although Schrader intends to fight the accusations legally, the controversy could still affect his professional future. In today’s climate, public opinion often overshadows legal outcomes, and even those later found innocent may find it difficult to continue working. Whether exonerated or not, Schrader’s career might face serious turbulence moving forward.

Source: Variety