Settlement Ends Civil Trial Against Roman Polanski
The civil trial against renowned Franco-Polish director Roman Polanski for the alleged rape of a minor in 1973 has been officially canceled following a settlement between the parties involved. The trial, which was set to take place in August 2025, was called off after an agreement was reached, as confirmed by Polanski's American lawyer, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs. The 91-year-old filmmaker has been a fugitive from U.S. justice since 1977 after being convicted in a separate case involving the rape of a minor.
Details of the Allegations
The allegations stem from an incident in 1973 when Polanski reportedly took a then-teenage girl, whose identity remains undisclosed, to a restaurant in Los Angeles, where he allegedly provided her with tequila before taking her to his home and assaulting her. The victim publicly disclosed her allegations in 2017 and filed a formal complaint in June 2023, just before the expiration of a statutory window in California law that allowed for the filing of historical sexual assault cases. The plaintiff sought unspecified damages for the alleged assault, which she claims caused her significant emotional and physical distress.
Ongoing Controversies Surrounding Polanski
Despite being accused of sexual assault and rape by numerous women throughout his career, Polanski has consistently denied all allegations. He remains a controversial figure in the film industry, having continued to work despite the serious accusations against him. Polanski's past conviction for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, Samantha Geimer, has led to him being viewed as a fugitive for over four decades. Geimer has publicly called for the charges against him to be dropped on multiple occasions.
