Life a nightmare, Weinstein tells friends

Harvey Weinstein has sent an email to friends claiming his life has become a ‘‘nightmare’’ and attacking the police investigation into his alleged sex crimes in what appeared to be a campaign to rescue his image.

The former film mogul accused detectives of treating him unfairly, and included with his message links to sympathetic newspaper articles.

Weinstein’s email was swiftly forwarded around Hollywood and caused outrage among his accusers. They suggested he was trying to start a media campaign to discredit the allegations against him, and to appeal for sympathy.

In the email, Weinstein wrote: ‘‘I’ve had one hell of a year . . . the worst nightmare of my life. As you can see from these articles, the police have played a very difficult role in my investigation.

‘‘All three police officers have either been retired, or repositioned from the SVU [Special Victims Unit]. The articles are selfexplanatory, but I’d like to speak to you on the phone if you have some time. There is more to this story . . . I appreciate your confidentiality.’’

Weinstein added: ‘‘Have a read of these articles. I wish I didn’t have to ask, but I’d be very appreciative of your time.’’ He sent the message on Monday from his personal email account, signing it ‘‘Best, Harvey.’’

It was later published by TMZ, the celebrity news website. Weinstein has kept a low public profile since the first accusations were made against him in October 2017. Since then, more than 80 women have made accusations ranging from inappropriate touching to rape.

He is awaiting trial in New York on five charges, including rape, relating to two alleged victims, and is next due in court on December 20. Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, and his lawyers have urged a judge to dismiss the case.

Katherine Kendall, who was one of the first women to accuse him publicly, said: ‘‘He knows how to run a marketing campaign, that’s for sure. I know there are people who are afraid that he’s been planning his comeback for a while. There are so many people who see him as a master manipulator, that nothing will surprise them.’’

Weinstein’s lawyers said they had been unaware of his plans to send the email, that it was sent only to close Hollywood friends, and was not part of any legal strategy.

In October, prosecutors dropped a sixth charge, relating to a third alleged victim, after it emerged a detective had asked a witness not to come forward with evidence that could have cast doubt on the allegation. Weinstein has previously been granted US$1 million (NZ$1.45m) bail, forced to surrender his passport, and to wear an electronic tag.

– Telegraph Group

‘I’ve had one hell of a year . . . the worst nightmare of my life. As you can see from these articles, the police have played a very difficult role in my investigation.’’ Harvey Weinstein