The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors voted to expel both Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski from membership. The announcement comes after a scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, May 1st.
Last week, Cosby was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault and has been accused by as many as 60 women.
Polanski has been on the Academy’s blacklist since fleeing the country in 1978 while awaiting sentencing for statutory rape. His case has seen many strange twists as he has tried to handle his affairs from abroad, while the L.A. District Attorney’s office has attempted to extradite him.
Harvey Weinstein was expelled from Academy membership last year after the New Yorker exposé that detailed years of sexual harassment allegations against him
Below is the full AMPAS statement regarding the expulsions:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors met on Tuesday night (May 1) and has voted to expel actor Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski from its membership in accordance with the organization’s Standards of Conduct. The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity.
