Harvey Weinstein scandal

Now a former news anchor accuses the film mogul of sexual assault.

NEW YORK:

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein (pic) is on indefinite leave from the company he co-founded while an internal investigation into numerous sexual harassment allegations against him is completed, The Weinstein Co’s board of directors announced.

“We strongly endorse Harvey Weinstein’s already announced decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from the Company, commencing today,” the board said in a statement on Friday.

“As Harvey has said, it is important for him to get the professional help for the problems he has acknowledged. Next steps will depend on Harvey’s therapeutic process, the outcome of the board’s independent investigation and Harvey’s own personal decisions.”

The announcement came a day after the New York Times reported that the co-chairman of the Weinstein Co had over the years reached at least eight legal settlements with women over alleged harassment.

Attorney John Kiernan of the firm Debevoise and Plimpton LLP was named the head of the investigation.

The New York Times expose chronicled allegations against Weinstein from actress Ashley Judd and former employees at both Weinstein Co and Weinstein’s former company, Miramax, over the course of several decades. — AP