Civil Trial Against Roman Polanski Canceled Following Settlement
The civil trial against renowned French-Polish director Roman Polanski for the alleged rape of a minor in 1973 has been officially canceled after the parties reached a settlement. The trial, which was scheduled to take place in August 2025, was annulled following an agreement described by Polanski's American lawyer, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, as being reached during the summer to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. The cancellation of the trial marks another chapter in a long history of legal battles for Polanski, who has evaded American justice for over four decades.
Allegations and Background of the Case
The allegations against Polanski stem from an incident in 1973 when he allegedly took a then-teenage girl to a Los Angeles restaurant, where he reportedly plied her with tequila before taking her home and assaulting her. The victim, who has not been publicly identified, came forward with her claims in 2017 and sought damages, although she did not specify an amount. Her complaint was filed in June 2023, just before California's legal window closed for filing historical rape or sexual assault claims. Prominent attorney Gloria Allred, representing the victim, highlighted the emotional and physical suffering caused by the alleged assault, asserting that the victim had pleaded with Polanski to stop.
Polanski's Fugitive Status and Ongoing Controversies
Roman Polanski, now 91 years old, has been a fugitive since 1977 when he fled the United States after being convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, Samantha Gailey (now known as Samantha Geimer). Despite being the subject of an international arrest warrant, Polanski has managed to avoid extradition and continues to work in the film industry. Throughout his career, he has faced numerous allegations of sexual assault from various women, all of which he has consistently denied. Geimer has since expressed a desire for the charges against Polanski to be dropped, complicating the narrative surrounding the director's controversial legacy.
