Roman Polanski Avoids Trial Again as Settlement Reached in 1973 Rape Case
Film director Roman Polanski, who infamously fled the United States in 1978 after pleading guilty to sexual abuse charges involving a 13-year-old girl, has successfully avoided yet another trial concerning allegations of sexual assault against another young woman from 1973. An out-of-court settlement has been reached, leading to the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the alleged victim, identified as Jane Doe, which was slated for trial next August in Los Angeles.
The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, alleged that Polanski took the young woman to a dinner at a Los Angeles restaurant in 1973. It is claimed that he offered her tequila, and upon noticing her discomfort, he took her to his home where she alleges he sexually assaulted her. The victim reportedly pleaded with him not to proceed with the assault, which she communicated through her defense attorney, Gloria Allred, in March.
As reported by The Guardian, both the director's attorney, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, and the legal representative for the plaintiff confirmed that both parties reached a satisfactory out-of-court settlement over the summer, effectively closing the case without trial. While specific details of this agreement remain undisclosed, the implications for Polanski are significant as they further bolster the list of scandals surrounding his life and career.
This latest development adds to a long-standing narrative of controversy for Polanski, who has consistently faced allegations of sexual misconduct. His decision to flee the U.S. in 1978 was motivated by fears that a prior out-of-court settlement related to a separate charge of raping a 13-year-old would not be upheld in court. Since then, he has lived and worked primarily in France.
Over the years, multiple women have come forward with allegations against Polanski, spanning incidents alleged to have occurred during the 1970s. Among these allegations is that of Marianne Barnard, who claimed that Polanski sexually assaulted her when she was just 10 years old. Similarly, British actress Charlotte Lewis accused him of assaulting her in 1983 when she was 16, and Polanski has denied all allegations brought against him.
In May 2023, he engaged in a defamation lawsuit related to the allegations made by Lewis, emerging victorious in that case. Nevertheless, the pattern of accusations against him persists and continues to overshadow his prolific career. The recent settlement with Jane Doe indicates that while Polanski may evade legal consequences for these historical claims, the uncomfortable scrutiny of his past actions remains unabated.
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