I recall the controversy. Remember this was pre internet, and it was possible for someone’s criminal record to be hushed up. IIRC, some actors in the film were on record as having not a clue about the director’s history. People higher up in the studio food chain probably did know their criminal history.
And they did do prison time for their crimes. Roman Polanski has never answered for the things he’s accused of doing and many in the industry have worked with him since.