French-Polish director Roman Polanski (90) is again confronted with accusations of rape of minors. In California, an unnamed woman has filed a civil lawsuit against the world star. Polanski drugged and raped the then-minor in his Los Angeles home in 1973, the plaintiff’s attorney, Gloria Allred, said at a news conference on Tuesday (local time). A judge has set a trial date for August 2025, the attorney said.
Polanski had his lawyers dismiss the charges. “Mr. Polanski firmly rejects the allegations in the lawsuit and believes that the court is the right place to hear this case,” said a statement from his lawyer Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, which was available to the German Press Agency.
Plaintiff claims she met Polanski at a party in 1973 and accepted an invitation to dinner a few months later. So the director knew she was underage. He gave her tequila to drink at his house and at a restaurant. She felt sick. She remembers waking up in his bed and defending herself from his sexual attacks. She clearly said no, but Polanski ignored this. The lawsuit alleges rape, sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress.
In a civil case, the suspect does not have to appear in court, Allred said. In such lawsuits involving damage claims, an amicable settlement is often reached instead of a lawsuit.
The director has been on the run from US authorities since 1978 after being accused of sex with a minor. Polanski admitted at the time to having illicit sex with a 13-year-old, but denied rape. He fled the US when a guilty verdict and prison sentence became apparent. Polanski never traveled to the United States again. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
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