John Galliano Convicted

British fashion designer John Galliano was found guilty of directing racist and antisemitic rants at people in a Paris bar and given a suspended fine of approximately $8,500 by a Paris court, reports The New York Times.

Galliano was fired from his position as creative director at French fashion house Dior following insults he hurled at a couple in Paris's Marais district last February. During the trial Galliano said he couldn't recall the incident due to job stress and his triple addiction to alcohol, sleeping pills, and Valium. He has undergone treatment since the arrest. Galliano was tried in one day before a panel of judges in June but was not present for the verdict.

Due to the suspension, Galliano won't be required to pay the fines unless he is accused of repeating this type of hate crime. However, he was ordered to pay legal costs for several antiracism groups that supported the accusers in the case.