Roman Polanski has settled a decades-old sexual assault lawsuit with an alleged victim, avoiding an extended U.S. legal showdown.
At a Glance
- Roman Polanski settled a lawsuit from over 50 years ago regarding alleged sexual assault of a minor.
- The settlement avoids a lengthy U.S. legal battle.
- The accuser claims assault occurred after a party in 1973.
- Polanski fled the U.S. in 1977 but continued his career abroad.
Backdrop of a Convoluted History
Disgraced film director Roman Polanski has chosen to end a lawsuit regarding allegations of sexual assault, which stems from over 50 years ago. The allegations date back to an incident in 1973, where an accuser, referred to as Jane Doe, claimed Polanski assaulted her after they met at a party. Polanski circumvented a potential 10-day trial in the U.S. by settling the lawsuit, a strategy that keeps his legal entanglements within the United States sidelined yet another time.
Jane Doe alleges that she met Polanski at a glamorous gathering before he invited her to dinner, where he reportedly served her tequila and then raped her after she passed out at his residence. This is hardly the first clouded chapter in Polanski’s career. In 1977, he famously fled the United States after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with Samantha Geimer, another minor.
Director Roman Polanski has settled a lawsuit in which he was accused of raping an underage woman in 1973. https://t.co/EZ1dISs1pK
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) October 23, 2024
“The case settled in the summer to the parties’ mutual satisfaction and has now been formally dismissed,” a Polanski’s representative confirmed.
Living As a Fugitive Yet Thriving Artist
Despite his status as a fugitive in the U.S., Roman Polanski’s film career thrived overseas. Primarily residing in France, he persisted in making noteworthy films and even garnered an Academy Award in 2002. However, the acclaimed director’s exploits in the arts could not shield him indefinitely from the consequences of his past actions. In 2018, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expelled him, a decision he contested unsuccessfully in court.
Polanski’s expulsion from the Academy came alongside Bill Cosby, both ejected for not living up to the institution’s ethical standards. This decision reaffirms that not even past accolades can provide sanctuary against the weight of credible accusations and societal expectations for accountability.
Roman Polanski no longer faces a trial over an alleged sexual assault on a minor in 1973 after reaching a settlement, news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported, citing his U.S. lawyer https://t.co/oIuEbiqFk6
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 24, 2024
Settlement Over Prolonged Case
Ultimately, settling this lawsuit undoubtedly saves Roman Polanski from an extended scrutiny that a publicized trial would guarantee. Gloria Allred, representing Jane Doe, confirmed, “A settlement of claims was agreed to by the parties to their mutual satisfaction.”
Escaping legal entrapment through settlements might be the path of least resistance, but questions on owning up to justice remain.
