Woman files lawsuit

New rape allegations against Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski has now been confronted again with allegations of rape. He is alleged to have drugged and abused a minor in the 1970s.(Bild: APA/AP Photo, File)

Director Roman Polanski (90) is once again facing accusations of raping minors. In California, a woman has filed a civil lawsuit against the star. 

The plaintiff's lawyer, Gloria Allred, said at a press conference on Tuesday that Polanski had put the then minor under the influence of alcohol and raped her at his home in Los Angeles in 1973.

Polanski rejects accusations
Polanski had his lawyers deny the allegations. "Mr. Polanski strongly denies the allegations in the complaint and he believes that the court is the proper venue to hear this case," said a statement from his lawyer Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, which was obtained by Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

A judge has set August 2025 as the trial date, the woman's lawyer said. The unnamed plaintiff claims that she met Polanski at a party in 1973 and accepted an invitation to a dinner a few months later. The director therefore knew that she was underage.

Drunk and raped
He gave her tequila to drink in his house and in a restaurant. She had become sick. She remembers waking up in his bed and defending herself against his sexual assaults. She clearly said no, but Polanski ignored this. The complaint lists rape, sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress.

In civil proceedings, the defendant does not have to appear in court, Allred said. Such lawsuits involving claims for damages often result in an out-of-court settlement rather than a trial.

Director on the run from US authorities
The director has been on the run from the US authorities since 1978 after being charged with having sex with a minor. At the time, Polanski admitted to having illicit sex with a 13-year-old girl, but denied rape. He fled the USA when a guilty verdict and prison sentence loomed on the horizon. Polanski never traveled to the USA again.