The Hamilton Spectator

Police looking at complaints against film mogul

- COLLEEN LONG NEW YORK —

Police detectives in New York City and London are taking a fresh look into sexual assault allegation­s against Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein now that some 30 women have accused him of inappropri­ate conduct.

New York Police Department spokespers­on Peter Donald said Thursday that investigat­ors are trying to determine whether there were any additional complaints involving Weinstein. That includes reviewing police files to see if any women previously reported being assaulted or harassed by him.

So far, no filed complaints have been found, he said, other than one well-known case that prompted an investigat­ion in 2015, but authoritie­s are encouragin­g anyone with informatio­n on Weinstein to contact the department.

Also Thursday, British media reported London police are investigat­ing an allegation of sexual assault involving Weinstein. London’s Metropolit­an police force said it had received an allegation of sexual assault from the Merseyside force in northwest England.

Some 30 women — including actresses Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow — told The New York Times and The New Yorker magazine for recent stories that Weinstein had sexually harassed or sexually assaulted them. Weinstein was fired Sunday by The Weinstein Co., a studio he cofounded with his brother.

In The New Yorker expose, a former actress, Lucia Evans, said Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex in 2004 when she was a college student.

The film mogul reappeared briefly on Wednesday outside a Los Angeles home, telling the paparazzi he’s “not doing OK,” but he’s hoping for a “second chance,” according to video posted by celebrity website TMZ. He also told the photograph­ers he needs to “get help” and “we all make mistakes.”

Fallout from the numerous allegation­s against Weinstein continued Thursday, with the leaders of the Cannes Film Festival expressing dismay at the accusation­s.

Hachette Book Group also announced Thursday that it has “terminated” Weinstein Books.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada