Ontario woman to sue Weinstein over alleged assaults

An Ontario actress plans to launch a civil suit against Harvey Weinstein, alleging the disgraced Hollywood producer sexually assaulted her nearly two decades ago.

The woman’s proposed statement of claim says she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein while she had a part in a movie being filmed in and around Toronto.

The actress is seeking millions of dollars in damages, claiming she has suffered mental distress, extreme social anxiety and depression, as well as social isolation and feelings of guilt, worthlessness and shame as a result of what happened.

None of the allegations have been proven in court. Weinstein’s representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

The actress, who cannot be named, alleges in documents filed with a Toronto court that she was approached by Weinstein while leaving the set of the film, and was told she looked like someone the producer described as his “ex-girlfriend.”

The proposed statement of claim said someone identifying herself as Weinstein’s assistant then called the woman, saying Weinstein found her “very talented.” The assistant invited the woman to breakfast with the producer at a hotel to discuss her career, according to the document.

The woman was thrilled, the claim said, and believed the meeting was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She met the assistant at the hotel, was invited up to a suite to meet with Weinstein and was left alone with the producer, the document said.

On a tour of his suite, Weinstein allegedly overpowered the actress, pushed her onto a bed and exposed himself, the proposed statement of claim said.

“He said words to the effect of ‘I do think you are a very talented young girl but the best thing you could do for your career ...’ He then gestured and looked at his penis,” the document alleged.

Weinstein then allegedly forced down the woman’s skirt and held her down by her wrists as she said “no” either two or three times, according to the document.

The producer then allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on the woman without her consent, the document said.