Barely a week after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expelled Roman Polanski from its membership, the veteran filmmaker's attorney sent a letter to the organisation threatening a legal action if he is not granted a hearing.
Polanski's attorney, Harland Braun, wrote to the Academy arguing the move was unlawful and it had failed to adhere to both its own rules and California law in denying the Oscar-winning director a chance to present his own case, The Los Angeles Times reported.
"We are not here contesting the merits of the expulsion decision, but rather your organisation's blatant disregard of its own Standards of Conduct in, as well as its violations of the standards required by California Corporations Code," Braun wrote.
The Board of Governors of AMPAS met on May 1 and voted to expel Polanski, 84, and disgraced comedian Bill Cosby, who have faced sexual harassment and rape charges for years, in accordance with their Standards of Conduct.
"The only thing we're asking for is a hearing, a chance to present his side. What I would hope is that (the academy's legal counsel) would say, 'Let's avoid an expensive lawsuit. Let's just start over. We'll rescind the expulsion and we'll put him on notice that we're thinking of expelling him and we'll give you the opportunity to present your case.'
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