Key Takeaways:
– French-Polish director Roman Polanski has reached a settlement in a sexual assault case.
– The case, concerning an alleged sexual attack in 1973, was due in civil court in 2024.
– The suit was formally dismissed after being settled mutually over the summer, according to Polanski’s US counsel.
Settlement Finalized in Roman Polanski Case
Roman Polanski, the French-Polish director widely known for films such as “The Pianist”, has reached a settlement following allegations of assault against a minor. The resolution comes in the wake of a lawsuit that was scheduled for a civil court hearing in Los Angeles in August 2024. However, the case has now been officially withdrawn, as confirmed by Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, Polanski’s US attorney.
Details of the Lawsuit
The suit, initiated last year, professed that Polanski invited a teenager to dinner in Los Angeles in 1973. Identified only as Jane Doe in official documents, she alleges that Polanski served her tequila. After she started to experience dizziness, Polanski allegedly drove her to his home and forcefully assaulted her.
Ignoring her plight, Polanski allegedly proceeded to undress and assault her, leading to physical pain and emotional distress. To clarify on the plaintiff’s allegations, Gloria Allred, her lawyer, said the assault was despite the plaintiff’s pleas to stop. The civil case, filed in June 2023, sought unspecified damages.
Mutual Settlement
According to court papers filed in California in July, a conditional agreement was reached. Both parties have expressed satisfaction with the dismissal of the case. Allred confirmed in an email late Tuesday that a settlement had been reached to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.
Roman Polanski’s Controversial History
Oscar-winning Polanski, now 91, is a controversial figure in the film industry. While many praise his unique creativity and artistic brilliance, others label him a sexual predator. His admission to the statutory rape of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer in 1977 remains amongst his most public controversies.
Polanski agreed to a plea bargain in 1977 to prevent trial on graver charges. Fearing a possible reconsideration of his release, he fled to France after serving 42 days in jail. Geimer, over the years, has defended Polanski publicly and was even photographed with him recently.
Previous Acquittals
A French court acquitted Polanski of defamation charges in May 2023 following allegations of rape by British actor Charlotte Lewis when she was a teenager. Throughout his life, Polanski has always denied accusations of wrongdoing.
In summary, the latest case against Roman Polanski has been officially withdrawn following a mutual settlement between both parties, concluding yet another chapter in Polanski’s controversial legal history.