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Paul Schrader Accused of Sexual Assault and Harassment by Former Assistant

Paul Schrader has been accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault by a former assistant who also alleges that he reneged on a settlement agreement.

The assistant was employed by Schrader — the screenwriter on Taxi Driver and Raging Bull in addition to directing films like American Gigolo and First Reformed — from May 2021 to September 2024. “After Ms. Doe refused to acquiesce to Defendant Schrader’s sexual advances, on September 23, 2024, he retaliated against her and terminated her employment,” the filing claims. Kessler also cited since-deleted social media postings by Doe praising Schrader, and added that she frequently joined him for dinners and film festivals.

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