Weinstein allegations continue unabated as firm hangs in balance
NEW YORK police are investigating two new allegations of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein, it emerged yesterday, as the legal backlash escalated.
The claims reportedly date back more than 10 years and emerged after a string of revelations about the shamed Hollywood mogul’s behaviour towards women.
A further three calls alleging inappropriate behaviour against Mr Weinstein have been made to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), US media reported.
An NYPD spokesman said the force has been “following up” on all allegations made – both in public and private – and urged anyone with information to come forward.
It comes after criticism over a 2015 complaint by Ambra Battilana, an Italian model, which was investigated by the NYPD but not prosecuted by the Manhattan district attorney.
The development marks an escalation in the investigations against Mr Weinstein, with the Metropolitan Police also looking into UK allegations.
More than 40 women, including the actresses Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have gone public with claims that he sexually harassed or assaulted them.
Tomorrow the board of directors of The Weinstein Company, which Mr Weinstein created with his brother Bob, will meet with its fate in the balance. Mr Weinstein, who was sacked by the board after the allegations broke, is expected to phone in to the meeting after going to Arizona for treatment, though his lawyer is set to attend.
Last night it was reported that The Weinstein Company had entered talks about a “potential sale” to Colony Capital, an investment company that also put money into the firm.
In a separate development, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls claimed the female pop group was run like a “prostitution ring” while she was involved.
Kaya Jones, 33, claimed band members had to “sleep with whoever” executives said in a string of explosive accusations made on Twitter.
“My truth. I wasn’t in a girl group. I was in a prostitution ring. Oh & we happened to sing & be famous. While everyone who owned us made the $,” she tweeted.
Robin Antin, founder of the Pussycat Dolls, dismissed the claims as “disgusting, ridiculous lies” and said Ms Jones was “clearly looking for her 15 minutes”.
Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of women took to social media in solidarity with victims of sexual assault and harassment, writing the words “me too” to show the scale of the problem. The campaign was started by Alyssa Milano, an actor who starred in the TV series Charmed alongside Rose Mcgowan, an alleged victim of Mr Weinstein.