Cops act on Harvey

Three sex assault cases tabled against disgraced producer

POLICE have submitted three sexual assault cases against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein to prosecutors, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said yesterday.

“Three cases were presented to our office on February 1 by the Los Angeles Police Department regarding Mr Weinstein,” a spokesman said.

The office is also believed to be reviewing two other possible cases submitted by Beverly Hills Police Department.

Dozens of Hollywood actors – including Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale and Salma Hayek – have accused Weinstein of acts ranging from sexual harassment to rape.

The veteran producer, who is reportedly in treatment for sexual addiction as he faces parallel investigations by police in New York and London, has repeatedly denied having non-consensual sex.

Uma Thurman, linked to Weinstein’s Miramax studio through her iconic roles in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, alleges he tried to “shove himself” on her and expose himself.

LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in November she had created a specialised taskforce to evaluate cases of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. She said the team included specialist sex crimes prosecutors who would review cases to determine if criminal charges were warranted.

The Weinstein scandal touched off a deluge of allegations against powerful men in entertainment, politics and the media, forcing many industries to re-examine workplace policies.

The latest accuser, American supermodel Kate Upton, spoke out in an interview published by Time magazine to allege that fashion guru Paul Marciano had harassed and sexually abused her.

The businessman told Time the allegations were “absolutely false” and “absurd”.