Roman Polanski settles 1973 lawsuit over alleged sexual assault of a minor

Roman Polanski's 1973 sexual assault lawsuit is settled, dismissing civil case ahead of trial next year.

Roman Polanski, the Oscar-winning director who fled the United States after pleading guilty to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old in 1978, has settled a civil lawsuit concerning the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in 1973. The case, filed in 2023, alleged that Polanski took the teenager to dinner in Los Angeles, gave her tequila, and later assaulted her at his home. The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe, had sought unspecified damages, claiming the assault caused her significant physical and emotional trauma.

The lawsuit was set for trial in August 2024, but Polanski’s lawyer, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, confirmed that the case was settled in the summer to the “mutual satisfaction” of both parties and has been formally dismissed. Gloria Allred, the plaintiff’s lawyer, also confirmed the settlement. The suit was filed just before the expiration of a California law extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases.

Polanski, now 91, remains a controversial figure. He fled the U.S. in 1978 after a plea deal for the statutory rape of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer. Despite being a fugitive, Polanski has continued working in the film industry and has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1970s. Polanski has denied these additional allegations.