Actor Joseph Gatt Sues DA, Claims Sex-Abuse Charge Was Fabricated

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor Joseph Gatt claims his career was ruined after he was falsely charged in 2022 with engaging in sexual conversations online with a minor based on evidence that turned out to be fabricated — now he's suing the district attorney and others for $40 million, court documents show.

Gatt, 52, filed in lawsuit in federal court in LA Thursday, arguing that officials carried out a "thoroughly botched criminal investigation, entirely lacking any probable cause, led by an obviously conflicted deputy district attorney who sought to destroy Gatt based on nothing more than bias and personal animosity," the suit reads.

British-born Gatt is known for his roles in "Dumbo," "Game of Thrones," "Thor" and "Star Trek Into Darkness."

Gatt was arrested in 2022 his home in the Beverly Grove area on a felony warrant for "contact with a minor for sexual offense." Officers executed a search warrant at his home "after they received information that Gatt had been engaged in online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines," the LAPD said at the time.

The charges were dropped earlier this year after they were found to be based on uncorroborated evidence put forth by a 16-year-old "admittedly obsessed fan," the suit claims.

"While the baseless criminal charges were ultimately dismissed, substantial and irreparable damage had already been done to Gatt," the suit states. "As a direct result of defendants' reckless investigation and malicious prosecution, Gatt has suffered immeasurable mental anguish and emotional distress that made him physically ill, and his reputation has been utterly destroyed."

The suit also says that Gatt has not worked as an actor since his arrest, "which has resulted in a total loss of all income from acting in a burgeoning career that, prior to the arrest, was on the precipice of exploding."

The suit names District Attorney George Gascón, Deputy District Attorney Angela Brunson, and the city and county of Los Angeles among defendants.

City News Service contributed to this report.