New sex assault claims against filmmaker Polanski: report

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) official Josh Rubenstein has told the daily that while the case cannot be prosecuted as the statute of limitations has expired, the evidence gathered could be used in other cases against Polanski.

The allegations involve artist Marianne Barnard, who has accused Polanski, now 84, of sexually abusing her during a beachside photo shoot in 1975. Barnard turned to the police in October, accusing the film director of coercing her to pose naked, wrapped in fur, and then molested her.

The artist initiated an online petition to have Polanski ousted from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Barnard said she gained courage to tell her story by a recent outpouring of disclosures aired by the alleged sexual abuse victims of film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Polanski refuted Barnard's claims, saying through his representative that he had no knowledge of her.

At least six women have accused the Polish-French filmmaker of sexual misconduct, with the majority of the women being minors at the time of the alleged abuse.

Polanski fled the United States in February 1978, shortly before being sentenced for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl. Having Polish-French citizenship, he settled in Paris, where he has been chiefly based ever since. (aba/gs)

Source: Los Angeles Times, Dziennik