Ontario actress plans to sue producer Weinstein
TORONTO — 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The woman was able to break free, escape the room and eventually met up with her agent, the proposed statement of claim said.
The woman went back to the hotel later that day with her agent, the document said, and Weinstein’s assistant insinuated the producer wanted to apologize in private.
The actress was then allegedly assaulted again, the proposed statement of claim said.