Weinstein compiled ‘hit list’ of accusers
Harvey Weinstein drew up a secret “hit list” of nearly 100 actors, publicists and producers as part of a strategy to silence his sex-assault accusers, a new report says.
The disgraced movie mogul personally created the 91-person list in early 2017 as reporters were working to substantiate rape and sex-assault allegations, according to the Guardian newspaper.
The document was handed to investigators hired by Weinstein to extract information from anyone who might have been aware of his sexual misdeeds and contains the names of several actresses who have accused Weinstein, including Rose McGowan and Laura Madden. Dozens of women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault. He’s currently under investigation by the NYPD, LAPD, Scotland Yard and the Beverly Hills police.
In other developments in the ongoing sexual-abuse scandal, model Keri Claussen Khalighi has accused Def Jam Records mogul Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct in 1991 when she was 17.
Khalighi says Simmons coerced her to perform a sex act in his New York apartment. She said the film producer and director Brett Ratner, who has also been accused by multiple women of sexual harassment, was present.
Simmons, now 60, has denied the allegations. He says everything that occurred between himself and Khalighi was completely consensual.
Meanwhile, a second accuser has supported actor Anthony Edwards’ claim that producer Gary Goddard molested him as a child four decades ago. The former ER star is now 55.
Former actor Bret Douglas Nighman, now 56, says Goddard attempted to molest him on multiple occasions.
Nighman also said that, while sharing a room with Edwards, he heard Goddard molesting his friend while the two were touring with a theatre production directed by Goddard.
Goddard has denied the allegations.