Roman Polanski Files Lawsuit Against Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

A year after being expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for statutory rape, director Roman Polanski and his lawyers have filed a lawsuit against the voting body.

According to an excerpt from the filing, the suit claims, "The Academy committed a prejudicial abuse of discretion in that the Academy failed to proceed in a manner required by law, the Academy's expulsion decision is not supported by the findings, and the Academy's findings are not supported by the evidence."

The goal of the lawsuit is to ultimately get Polanski reinstated.

Polanski's attorney stated at the filing, "The Academy failed to comply with its own rules, policies, and regulations in expelling Petitioner without notice, without an opportunity to be heard and deliberately violated California Corporations Code."

In a response to the suit, an Academy spokesperson stated, "The procedures taken to expel Mr. Polanski were fair and reasonable. The Academy stands behind its decision as appropriate."

Real the full story at Variety.