Weinstein casts shadow over awards as he is ‘shown groping’

THIS is the meeting where Harvey Weinstein appeared to grope a woman in his New York office…hours before allegedly raping her. The footage, captured by video camera will air tonight in a Sky Atlantic documentary about the shamed movie mogul, 66.

The unseen film shows the movie producer – accused of sex crimes by more than 80 women – hugging, stroking and making other suggestive comments to tech company junior partner Melissa Thompson.

Ms Thompson, 35, has kept the recording secret for the seven years. She is one of scores of women suing the former film titan, who also faces criminal charges.

The documentary Weinstein: Hollywood’s Reckoning will be shown just hours before the Academy Awards ceremony he used to dominate. Films he produced won 81 Oscars.

Ms Thompson is one of nine alleged victims who appear on the programme, plus former employees of his Miramax company

CAUGHT ON FILM: Melissa Thompson says Harvey Weinstein harassed her in office

who claim he “paid off” many other victims. The executive said she was at Weinstein’s office in September 2011 to pitch a video platform created by her firm, recording the meeting as part of the demonstration.

She said she had expected to pitch to Weinstein’s marketing team but he told his staff he wanted privacy, then locked his office door. The film shows that, as Ms Thompson goes to shake hands, Weinstein tries to hug her, rubbing his hands down her back. He asks: “So, am I allowed to flirt with you?” Ms Thompson seems rattled and replies: “Umm…we’ll see…a little bit.” She now says: “I don’t think I purposely encouraged him. I was trying to manage the situation. There was a combination, I think, of confidence and naivety that led me to believe I could.”

Weinstein then says, “OK – I’m going to use your service.” Ms Thompson seems to flirt back, saying, “Data’s so hot, right?”

Weinstein replies, “It is hot. You’re hot”. She claims, he then put his hand up her dress. Seconds later she stops him saying, “A little high! That’s a little high.”

Ms Thompson agreed to meet Weinstein in a hotel bar later that day. But she claims he coerced her into going into a room where he raped her.

He is set to appear in a New York court on March 7 for a pre-trial hearing on five charges of rape, a criminal sex act, sexual abuse and misconduct against two women.

Weinstein’s legal team has said he will plead not guilty to all charges. He has previously said that the women all consented to sexual activity.