Will Smith[/B] may be asked to return the gold statuette for Best Actor after his live on-stage attack on Chris Rock, industry experts told The Post.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which handed out the awards Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, has strict guidelines in its code of conduct.
A highly placed source in Hollywood told The Post after the incident:
"It was essentially an assault. Everyone was so shocked in the room, it was so uncomfortable. I think Will wouldn't want to give back his Oscar, but who knows what will happen now."
It should be noted that the Academy released a code of conduct in 2017 in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal that hit the industry.
This code stresses the importance of "upholding the Academy's values" such as inclusion, promoting supportive environments and "respecting human dignity."
At the time, AMPAS CEO Dawn Hudson wrote to members:
"Academy membership is a privilege offered only to a select few in the global filmmaking community," she told Variety magazine.
[BR]
There is no place in the Academy for anyone who abuses power
In fact, the CEO had stated that "There is no place in the Academy for people who abuse the position, power or influence in a way that violates recognised standards of decency. The Academy is categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age, religion or nationality. The Board of Trustees believes these standards are essential to the mission of the Academy and reflect our values."
As far as the law is concerned, Smith could be free. The Los Angeles Police Department told the Post in a statement that it is aware of the incident.
Los Angeles police were also notified
[/P]"LAPD investigative units are aware of an incident between two people during the Academy Awards program," a police spokesman told The Post.
"The incident involved one person slapping another. The person involved declined to file a police report. If the party involved wishes to file a police report at a later date, the LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report."
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