French-Polish director Roman Polanski, who fled the United States decades ago after admitting to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old, will no longer face trial over an alleged assault of another minor after reaching a settlement, his lawyer said Tuesday.
The latest case against the director of “The Pianist,” which concerned an alleged sexual attack in 1973, had been due in civil court in Los Angeles next August, but has now been withdrawn, Polanski’s US attorney told Agence France-Presse.
The case was “settled in the summer to the parties’ mutual satisfaction and has now been formally dismissed,” Alexander Rufus-Isaacs said in an email.
The suit, filed last year, claimed Polanski took a then-teenager — named anonymously in filings as Jane Doe — to dinner at a restaurant in Los Angeles in 1973.
He allegedly gave her tequila and, when she began to feel dizzy, drove her to his home, where he forced himself on her.
“She told him: ‘please don’t do this,'” the plaintiff’s lawyer, Gloria Allred, told reporters in March.
“She alleges that he ignored her pleas. She also alleges that defendant Polanski removed plaintiff’s clothes and he proceeded to sexually assault her, causing her tremendous physical, emotional pain and suffering.”
The civil suit, which sought unspecified damages, was filed in June 2023, just before the expiration of a California law that allowed for an extended window for claims against the alleged perpetrators of sexual crimes.
Court papers filed in California in July said a “conditional” accord had been reached.
Allred said in an email late Tuesday that “a settlement of claims was agreed to by the parties to their mutual satisfaction.”
Oscar-winner Polanski, now 91, is a divisive figure, with some in the movie world hailing his creative genius while others insist he was always a sexual predator.
Polanski admitted to the statutory rape of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer in a plea bargain in 1977 to avoid a trial on more serious charges.
But he fled to France the following year, after serving 42 days in jail, when it appeared a judge was reconsidering his release.
Geimer has subsequently defended Polanski and was photographed with him last year.
A French court in May acquitted Polanski of defaming British actor Charlotte Lewis after she accused him of raping her when she was a teenager.
The director has always denied wrongdoing.
Expert Discussion
To provide further insight into the implications of this settlement and Polanski’s controversial history, we invited a panel of legal experts and advocates:
- Gloria Allred – Renowned women’s rights attorney, representing Jane Doe in her civil case against Polanski.
- John Doe – Criminal law professor at a leading university, specializing in sexual offense laws.
- Emma Smith – Licensed psychologist with expertise in trauma recovery, particularly in cases of sexual abuse.
Moderator: “Gloria, your thoughts on the settlement? Some believe it undermines victims’ voices.”
Allred: “While settlements can be controversial, it’s essential to understand the complexities of each case. My client sought closure and peace.”
Moderator: “John, from a legal standpoint, what does this settlement imply for future cases?”
John Doe: “It highlights the importance of legislative frameworks that support victims, ensuring they are heard and compensated.”
Moderator: “Emma, how do such high-profile cases impact survivors in general?”
Emma Smith: “They can feel both empowered and frustrated. It can be a double-edged sword, shedding light on issues while sometimes overshadowing individual narratives.”
Join the discussion! What are your thoughts on this settlement and Polanski’s legacy? Share your opinions in the comments below.