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Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases

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Weinstein in 2010.

In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker reported that dozens of women accused Harvey Weinstein, a film producer and co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company, of sexually harassing, assaulting, or raping them. Many other women in the film industry subsequently reported similar experiences with Weinstein, who denied any non-consensual sex. Shortly after the allegations were published, Weinstein was ousted from his company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, his wife Georgina Chapman announced she was divorcing him, and leading figures in politics whom he had supported denounced him.

Background

Harvey Weinstein and his brother, Bob Weinstein, formed the film production company Miramax and led the company from 1979 to 2005.[1] In March 2005, the Weinsteins founded The Weinstein Company and departed from Miramax that September.[2][3]

Rumors of Weinstein's "casting couch" practices had been circulating in Hollywood for years, and entertainment figures at times made allusion to them.[4] In 1998, Gwyneth Paltrow said on The David Letterman Show that Weinstein "will coerce you to do a thing or two."[4] In 2005, Courtney Love advised young actresses in an interview, "If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a private party in the Four Seasons, don't go."[5] In 2010, an article titled "Harvey's Girls"[6] for Pajiba alluded to Weinstein's "casting couch" reputation: "Every few years, Harvey picks a new girl as his pet".[4] In 2012, a character on the TV series 30 Rock said: "I'm not afraid of anyone in show business, I turned down intercourse with Harvey Weinstein on no less than three occasions, out of five."[4] At the 2013 Oscars ceremony, host Seth MacFarlane joked when announcing the Best Supporting Actress nominees: "Congratulations, you five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein."[4] And in 2015, Jordan Sargent wrote in his Gawker article "Tell Us What You Know About Harvey Weinstein's 'Open Secret'"[7] that "rumors of the powerful producer leveraging his industry power for sexual satisfaction—consensual or otherwise—have tended to remain unaired, confined to hushed conversation and seedier gossip-blog comment threads."[4]

In 2015, The New York Times reported that Weinstein was questioned by police "after a 22-year-old woman accused him of touching her inappropriately".[8] The woman, Italian model Ambra Gutierrez, was portrayed as an opportunist and blackmailer by U.S. tabloids, who associated her with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's infamous "bunga bunga" sex parties.[9] Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. did not press charges for lack of evidence.[10]

2017 reporting

Substantial allegations of sexual misconduct by Weinstein were first reported by journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey in The New York Times on October 5, 2017. The story accused Weinstein of three decades of sexually harassing and paying eight settlements to actresses and female Miramax and Weinstein Company production assistants, temps, and other employees.[11][10]

On October 10, 2017, NBC News correspondent Ronan Farrow reported in The New Yorker further allegations that Weinstein had sexually assaulted or harassed 13 women, and raped three of them.[12] Farrow said he had previously wanted to break the story months earlier with NBC but implied the network was under pressure not to publish,[13] which NBC denied.[14] According to Farrow, 16 former, or current, executives and assistants connected with Weinstein said that they had witnessed or had been informed of Weinstein's non-consensual sexual advances to women.[12] Four actresses relayed their suspicion that after rejecting Weinstein's advances and complaining about him, he had them dropped from projects or persuaded others to do so. A number of Farrow's sources said Weinstein had referred to his success in planting stories in the media about individuals who had crossed him.[12] The New Yorker also made available a covert recording made by New York City police in 2015. In it, Weinstein admits to groping Ambra Gutierrez.[12]

Alleged victims

After the New York Times and New Yorker articles were published, many women in the entertainment business made similar allegations against Weinstein. According to their reports, he would invite young actresses or models into a hotel room or office on the pretext of discussing their career, and then demand massages or sex from them.[15] Former colleagues and collaborators of Weinstein told reporters that these activities were enabled by employees, associates and agents who set up these meetings, and lawyers and publicists who suppressed complaints with payments and threats.[15]

The women who said that they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by Weinstein include:

Anthony, Argento, Evans, McGowan, and an unnamed woman quoted by The New Yorker have accused Weinstein of rape, in addition to sexual harassment and assault.[39][40]

Weinstein's responses

In response to the New York Times article, Weinstein said: "I appreciate the way I've behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it." He said he was due to take a sabbatical and was working with therapists to "deal with this issue head on".[11] His consulting lawyer, Lisa Bloom, described him as "an old dinosaur learning new ways", but, after receiving criticism from board members of The Weinstein Company for her handling of his defense, ended her work for Weinstein on October 7.[41] In an email to The Hollywood Reporter, Weinstein's attorney Charles Harder said his client would be suing The New York Times.[42]

In response to the New Yorker report, a spokesperson for Weinstein made the following statement: "Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. (...) Mr. Weinstein has begun counseling, has listened to the community and is pursuing a better path. Mr. Weinstein is hoping that if he makes enough progress, he will be given a second chance.”[12]

Reactions

On October 8, 2017, the board of directors of Weinstein's production company, The Weinstein Company, terminated his employment.[43] His wife Georgina Chapman announced on October 10 that she was divorcing Weinstein.[44] Several companies ended their collaborations with The Weinstein Company, including Apple (October 9),[45] Hachette (October 12)[46] and Amazon (October 13).[47] On October 11, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts suspended his membership,[48] and on October 14 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, expelled Weinstein. In a statement, the Academy said that it intended to "send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over."[49]

Many politicians Weinstein had supported, gave his donations to charities, including Democratic Senators Al Franken,[50] Patrick Leahy, and Martin Heinrich.[51] Prominent figures from entertainment and politics condemned Weinstein's actions; Hillary Clinton, and Barack and Michelle Obama denounced Weinstein's reported behavior on October 10.[52] Reporters from The Guardian contacted 20 male actors who had worked with Weinstein; none initially commented. The Guardian concluded that, while many prominent women condemned Weinstein, "most high-profile men in the industry have remained silent".[53]

The New York City and London police said on October 12 that they were reviewing allegations against Weinstein.[54] If prosecuted for felony sexual assault for the allegation that he forced Lucia Evans into oral sex, Weinstein could face up to 25 years in prison, but legal experts considered a prosecution uncertain.[55]

References

  1. ^ Weinstein, Bob (April 2003). "All Thanks to Max". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Cain, Rob (October 12, 2017). "The Weinstein Company Can Kiss Its Oscar Prospects Goodbye". Forbes Online. Forbes Media. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  3. ^ Hernandez, Eugene (March 30, 2005). "Weinstein's Leaving Miramax, Will Form New Company; Brothers Taking Dimension Label, Leaving All Film Libraries at Disney". IndieWire. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 12, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f "The hints of Weinstein's behavior that went ignored". Axios. October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  5. ^ "Courtney Love warned actresses about Harvey Weinstein in 2005". The Telegraph. October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  6. ^ Enlow, Courtney (December 21, 2010). "Harvey's Girls". Pajiba. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  7. ^ Sargent, Jordan (February 4, 2015). "Tell Us What You Know About Harvey Weinstein's "Open Secret"". Gawker. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  8. ^ Santora, Marc; Baker, Al (March 30, 2015). "Harvey Weinstein, Producer, Questioned by New York Police After Groping Accusation". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  9. ^ Squires, Nick (October 13, 2017). "Italian beauty queen says her life was made a misery after claiming harassment by Harvey Weinstein". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Allegations of sexual abuse have ended Harvey Weinstein's career". The Economist. October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Kantor, Jodi; Twohey, Megan (October 5, 2017). "Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Farrow, Ronan (October 10, 2017). "From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein's Accusers Tell Their Stories". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  13. ^ Moraes, Lisa de (October 11, 2017). "Ronan Farrow To Rachel Maddow: Ask NBC Why My Harvey Weinstein Report Did Not Break On Its Air". Deadline.
  14. ^ Koblin, John (October 11, 2017). "How Did NBC Miss Out on a Harvey Weinstein Exposé?". The New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Levin, Sam; Carroll, Rory (October 13, 2017). "'Pack of hyenas': how Harvey Weinstein's power fuelled a culture of enablers". The Guardian. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  16. ^ "Harvey Weinstein: More women accuse Hollywood producer of rape". BBC News. October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  17. ^ Lee, Ashley (October 12, 2017). "Kate Beckinsale on Harvey Weinstein: "He Couldn't Remember If He Had Assaulted Me or Not"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  18. ^ Tukia, Annabelle (October 9, 2017). "Kiwi model Zoe Brock describes assault by Harvey Weinstein". Newshub. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Desta, Yohana; Busis, Hillary (October 12, 2017). "These Are the Women Who Have Accused Harvey Weinstein of Sexual Harassment and Assault". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  20. ^ Weaver, Matthew (October 12, 2017). "Oscars to discuss response to Harvey Weinstein allegations". The Guardian. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  21. ^ Evans, Greg (October 11, 2017). "Cara Delevingne Says Harvey Weinstein Attempted To Kiss Her, Blocked Door". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  22. ^ O'Carroll, Lisa (October 12, 2017). "Harvey Weinstein: English actor says alleged sexual assault ruined her film career". The Guardian. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d e f Kantor, Jodi; Abrams, Rachel (October 10, 2017). "Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Others Say Weinstein Harassed Them". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  24. ^ Evans, Alice (October 13, 2017). "Did rejecting Harvey Weinstein's sinister advances shut down my career - and my husband's?". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  25. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (October 12, 2017). "Claire Forlani Says She 'Ducked' and 'Dived' to Escape Harvey Weinstein Encounters". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  26. ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (October 10, 2017). "Actor Romola Garai felt 'violated' after Harvey Weinstein encounter". The Guardian. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  27. ^ Graham, Heather (October 10, 2017). "Heather Graham: Harvey Weinstein Implied I Had to Have Sex With Him for Movie Role (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  28. ^ "Eva Green fait partie des victimes d'Harvey Weinstein, selon sa mère Marlène Jobert". Le Parisien. October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  29. ^ Bitette, Nicole (October 6, 2017). "Actress Jessica Hynes claims Harvey Weinstein asked her to audition in a bikini". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  30. ^ Evans, Greg (October 13, 2017). "Minka Kelly Apologizes For Being "Complicit" In Weinstein Silence". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  31. ^ Ahern, Victoria (October 13, 2017). "Canadians Mia Kirshner, Erika Rosenbaum join legion accusing Harvey Weinstein". Global News. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  32. ^ Polley, Sarah (October 14, 2017). "Sarah Polley: The Men You Meet Making Movies". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  33. ^ "What it was like to work for Harvey Weinstein". BBC News. October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  34. ^ "'He really took something from me': Montreal actress Erika Rosenbaum says Harvey Weinstein assaulted her". CBC Radio. October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  35. ^ Lockett, Dee (October 13, 2017). "Actress Melissa Sagemiller Recalls Being Forced to Kiss Harvey Weinstein". Vulture. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  36. ^ "'I had to defend myself': The Night Harvey Weinstein Jumped On Me". The Guardian. October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  37. ^ "TV anchor on Weinstein accusation: "Braver" women made it possible/". CBS News. October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  38. ^ Hesse, Monica; Zak, Dan (October 14, 2017). "Violence. Threats. Begging. Harvey Weinstein's 30-year pattern of abuse in Hollywood". Washington Post. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  39. ^ "Rose McGowan accuses Weinstein of rape". BBC News. October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  40. ^ Metcalf, Charlotte (October 15, 2017). "'Harvey Weinstein raped me in my home,' British actress Lysette Anthony tells police". The Sunday Times. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  41. ^ Kantor, Jodi; Twohey, Megan (October 7, 2017). "Lisa Bloom, Lawyer Advising Harvey Weinstein, Resigns Amid Criticism From Board Members". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  42. ^ Gardner, Eriq (October 5, 2017). "Harvey Weinstein to Sue N.Y. Times, Says His Attorney". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  43. ^ "Harvey Weinstein sacked after sexual harassment claims". BBC. October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  44. ^ Saperstein, Pat (October 10, 2017). "Harvey Weinstein's Wife Georgina Chapman Divorcing Him". Variety. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  45. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 9, 2017). "Apple Kills Deal For TWC Elvis Series In Wake Of Harvey Weinstein Scandal". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  46. ^ Barr, Jeremy (October 12, 2017). "Weinstein Books Imprint Terminated by Hachette Group (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  47. ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (October 13, 2017). "Amazon Axes David O. Russell Series, Cuts Ties With TWC". The Wrap. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  48. ^ "Bafta suspends Harvey Weinstein". BBC News. October 11, 2017.
  49. ^ Lartey, Jamiles; London, Edward Helmore David Batty in (October 14, 2017). "Harvey Weinstein expelled from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". The Guardian. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  50. ^ Rao, Maya (October 6, 2017). "Sen. Al Franken to donate campaign contributions from Harvey Weinstein". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  51. ^ Tatum, Sophie (October 5, 2017). "Democrats pressured to return Weinstein donations". CNN. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  52. ^ Blistein, Jon (October 10, 2017). "Hillary Clinton, Obamas Rebuke Harvey Weinstein After Assault Allegations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  53. ^ Levin, Sam; Wong, Julia Carrie (October 11, 2017). "Hollywood men silent over Weinstein allegations as women speak out". The Guardian. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  54. ^ Lartey, Jamiles (October 12, 2017). "Harvey Weinstein: police in New York and London investigating allegations". The Guardian. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  55. ^ Levin, Sam (October 12, 2017). "Could Harvey Weinstein go to jail?". The Guardian. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
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