Movie mogul deserted after sexual claims
Politicians rush to hand back donations
Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer and politician friends deserted him yesterday in the wake of allegations he sexually harrassed numerous women over several decades.
A series of Democrat senators returned donations after women including Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan went public with allegations of sexual misconduct.
Now one of Weinstein’s leading advisers has quit amid the growing scandal.
Lisa Bloom, a high- profile lawyer who has made a name for herself by defending women over the course of her career, tweeted her resignation yesterday afternoon.
Ashley Judd has accused Weinstein of inappropriate behaviour at a Los Angeles hotel in 1996 – something the Miramax co-founder denies.
Former Charmed actress Rose McGowan, another of his accusers, claims to have been involved in a settlement with Weinstein after an episode in a hotel room during the Sundance Film Festival in 1997.
Weinstein has been a prolific patron of Democratic politics and politicians for years, spending more than £ 1.4 million since 1990 on candidates, parties, and action committees.
The film mogul has enjoyed a series of major box office successes, producing hits including Pulp Fiction, Gangs of New York and Shakespeare in Love.
A third of TheWeinstein Company’s all-male board has already resigned, while board members who remain have hired an outside law firm to investigate.