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Third Woman Alleges She Was 'Sexually Victimized' By Roman Polanski As A Minor
Polanski at Cannes in 2017. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, a third woman came forward to say that she was "sexually victimized" as a minor by director Roman Polanski. Polanski pleaded guilty to raping then-13-year-old Samantha Geimer in 1979 and has been accused of sexually assaulting another teenage actress in 1983.
Attorney Gloria Allred is representing the woman, who is identified solely as "Robin," Variety reports. At a Tuesday press conference streamed live on Facebook, Robin alleged that Polanski assaulted her in 1973, when she was 16 years old. Robin said she felt compelled to go public about her ordeal when she heard Geimer defend Polanski in a Los Angeles courtroom two months ago, noting, "I'm speaking out now so that Samantha and the world will know that she is not the only minor Roman Polanski victimized."
Polanski, now 83, has been living in Europe ever since he famously fled Los Angeles prior to his sentencing for the rape of Geimer in 1979. Polanski has sought unsuccessfully over the years to return to the U.S. without facing jail time, although his European exile hasn't prevented him fromwinning a 2003 Oscar or enjoying an ongoing directing career.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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