Los Angeles, California – “Game of Thrones” star Joseph Gatt has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, the City of Los Angeles, L.A. County, and others for $40 million after being arrested and charged with online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines. Gatt, a 52-year-old actor, was arrested in April 2022 and released the same day after posting a $5,000 bail. The charges against him were dismissed in February.
According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Gatt claims that a “thoroughly botched criminal investigation” based on the uncorroborated word of a then-16-year-old fan caused the intentional destruction of his career and reputation. The lawsuit names Gascón, L.A. County, L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Angela Brunson, LAPD Detective Denos Amarantos, and the City of Los Angeles as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that Gatt, a successful actor with credits in films and television series such as Game of Thrones and Banshee, was subjected to a baseless arrest, unlawful detention, unlawful search and seizure of property, and malicious prosecution based on fabricated evidence. Gatt claimed that his arrest and prosecution were the result of the alleged actions of a teenage fan whom he did not know and had never met.
The documents state that Gatt responded appropriately to the fan’s messages on Instagram, but the fan manufactured fake conversations on Snapchat that were sexual in nature and pure fantasy. The lawsuit also alleges that Deputy District Attorney Brunson, motivated by bias and personal animosity, sought to destroy Gatt based on fabricated evidence.
In addition to seeking damages for the harm caused to his career and reputation, Gatt also alleges that the defendants violated his constitutional rights. The lawsuit claims that Gatt has suffered immeasurable mental anguish and emotional distress as a result of the reckless investigation and malicious prosecution.
Representatives for the L.A. District Attorney’s Office and the LAPD did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Gatt’s attorney, Dean Z. Pamphilis, stated that the arrest and charges against Gatt were based on fabricated evidence and resulted in the destruction of his community, acting career, and personal reputation.
Gatt, who appeared in the fourth season of Game of Thrones and other film and television projects, has not worked as an actor since the arrest and had to sell his high-performance car to cover legal expenses. The lawsuit seeks to recover the $40 million in damages Gatt has suffered due to the defendants’ actions.