Chattanooga Times Free Press

Weinstein settles harassment suits, says N.Y. Times

- BY LINDSEY BAHR

LOS ANGELES — Harvey Weinstein, the largerthan-life Hollywood executive and Oscar-winner, is taking a leave of absence from his own company after an explosive expose revealing decades of sexual harassment against women, from employees to actress Ashley Judd, was published in The New York Times on Thursday.

The article includes first person accounts of Weinstein’s alleged conduct, including from Judd, who recounts an incident from two decades ago in which she said she was asked to meet Weinstein in his hotel room. Weinstein greeted her wearing a bathrobe and asked her if she would give him a massage or watch him shower, the paper reported.

“Women have been talking about Harvey amongst ourselves for a long time, and it’s simply beyond time to have the conversati­on publicly,” Judd told the Times.

Two company officials told the Times at least eight women have received settlement­s from Weinstein over the years, including actress Rose McGowan, who allegedly had an incident with him in 1997 when she was 23.

Weinstein’s attorney, Charles J. Harder, said in a statement the story is “saturated with false and defamatory statements about Harvey Weinstein.”

“We sent the Times the facts and evidence, but they ignored it and rushed to publish,” Harder said. He did not respond to questions about what specific allegation­s Weinstein was contesting.

Requests for comment from The Weinstein Co. and Judd were not immediatel­y returned.

Weinstein had a powerful perch in Hollywood for three decades, and was known for producing films such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespear­e in Love,” for which he won an Oscar. He also launched the careers of numerous actresses and directors and executed extremely successful Oscar campaigns with his company Miramax, which he ran with his brother, Bob Weinstein. In 2005, they launched a new production company, The Weinstein Co.

“I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it,” Weinstein said in a statement. “Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go.”

 ?? ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Harvey Weinstein arrives at the 2014 Oscars in Los Angeles. Weinstein is taking a leave of absence from his own company after The New York Times released a report alleging decades of sexual harassment against women, including employees and actress Ashley Judd.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Harvey Weinstein arrives at the 2014 Oscars in Los Angeles. Weinstein is taking a leave of absence from his own company after The New York Times released a report alleging decades of sexual harassment against women, including employees and actress Ashley Judd.

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