5. Roman Polanski
In March 1977, the then 43 year old genius Polish film director - Roman Polanski, became embroiled in a scandal involving a number of charges he is alleged to have perpetrated against a 13 year old girl including underage rape, plying her with drugs and sodomy. He made a plea bargain and admitted to having sexual intercourse with the girl who was called Samantha Gailey. He allegedly asked the girl's mother, who was an actress, if he could take some photos of her daughter. According to his victim, he photographed her topless and she became frightened. This was in Jack Nicholson's house. Jack was not there but his live in partner Anjelica Huston was suspicious and knocked on the bedroom but was told they were finishing a shoot. Samantha claims that Polanski fed her champagne, quaaludes, and performed oral, vaginal and anal sex upon her without her consent. Polanski admitted to having sex with the girl but claimed she was willing and responded in a positive fashion. The truth never came out in the wash because Polanski fled America, first to England and then to France where he held dual citizenship. It is extremely hard to get the extradition of French people to America so Polanski stayed there and continued his fabulous career. A shocking case for Hollywood to stomach. Here was one of their own - a brilliant director, outstanding in his film output - but a convicted paedophile under Californian law. He has won Oscars since his exile - an endorsement by the Academy. Debate continues to rage as to whether Polanski should be extradited and made to face the music. Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has said that while he admires Polanski's work, he cannot throw out such a sensational case and Polanski would be treated under law as anyone else who committed the crime should he return to the States. This is a complex moral dilemma I'm not going to touch with a ten foot barge pole...