The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced the expulsion of Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski from its ranks today. The decision comes a week after Cosby was convicted on three charges of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004. Polanski was accused of statutory rape in 1978 and has lived abroad as a fugitive from United States jurisdiction ever since. The Academy issued the following press statement about the decision:
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.
In October of last year, Harvey Weinstein became only the second member of the Academy ever to be expelled.
