Roman Polanski, the French-Polish Oscar-winning director known for his critically acclaimed films like The Pianist and Chinatown, will no longer face trial over a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor in 1973. A settlement reached in summer 2023 has led to the formal dismissal of the case, which was scheduled for trial in Los Angeles in 2024.
Allegations from 1973
The case stemmed from allegations made by a woman, identified as “Jane Doe” in court documents, who claimed that Polanski assaulted her when she was a teenager in 1973. According to the lawsuit, Polanski took her to a restaurant for dinner in Los Angeles, provided her with tequila, and later drove her to his home. It was there that he allegedly ignored her pleas to stop and sexually assaulted her.
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The plaintiff, represented by prominent attorney Gloria Allred, stated that the incident caused her “tremendous physical and emotional pain and suffering.” The lawsuit was filed in June 2023, just before the expiration of a California law that temporarily extended the time frame for filing sexual abuse claims against alleged perpetrators.
Settlement Reached
In July 2023, court documents revealed that a conditional settlement had been reached between Polanski and the plaintiff. Both parties reached an agreement to resolve the lawsuit, and in the summer, the case was formally dismissed. Polanski’s attorney, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, confirmed that the matter was settled to the “mutual satisfaction” of both parties.
The settlement means that Polanski, now 91, will avoid a trial that was previously scheduled for August 2024. Allred, the plaintiff’s lawyer, confirmed the settlement but did not provide further details about the agreement.
Divisive Figure
Polanski has been a polarizing figure for decades. In 1977, he pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer in a plea bargain to avoid facing more severe charges. However, before his sentencing could be finalized, Polanski fled the United States and has lived in exile, primarily in France, ever since.
Although Geimer has publicly defended Polanski in recent years, and even posed for photographs with him, he continues to face scrutiny for other allegations. Between 2017 and 2019, four women came forward accusing Polanski of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s, three of whom were minors at the time. These allegations have further tarnished his reputation.
Legal Troubles Continue
Despite being a celebrated filmmaker, Polanski’s legal issues have followed him for decades. In 2010, British actor Charlotte Lewis accused Polanski of sexually assaulting her in 1983 when she was 16 years old. While Polanski has denied the allegations, Lewis’ claims added to the growing list of accusations against him. A French court recently acquitted Polanski of defamation after he denied raping Lewis during a public statement.
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Polanski’s decision to flee the U.S. has made him a fugitive from American justice for more than 40 years. Although France has refused to extradite him, Polanski has avoided travel to countries where he risks arrest. Despite the controversies, he continues to work and has been lauded in some artistic circles for his filmmaking.
