Weinstein Co. commissions outside law firm
Co-chaiman begins an indefinite leave after allegations rise
The board of The Weinstein Co. announced that its co-chairman, Harvey Weinstein, began an indefinite leave Friday and said that an outside law firm will investigate allegations that he sexually harassed actresses and employees over the course of decades.
“We strongly endorse Harvey Weinstein’s already-announced decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from the company, commencing today,” according to a statement signed by four board members: Bob Weinstein, Tarak Ben Ammar, Lance Maerov and Richard Koenigsberg. “As Harvey has said, it is important for him to get professional help for the problems he has acknowledged. Next steps will depend on Harvey’s therapeutic progress, the outcome of the Board’s independent investigation, and Harvey’s own personal decisions.”
The move came in response to a New York Times investigation published Thursday that found complaints of sexual harassment by Weinstein stretching back decades and at least eight settlements paid to women. The investigation has rocked the entertainment company, with employees and business partners demanding swift action by the board.
A ‘30-year’ pattern
Earlier Friday, a lawyer advising Weinstein said in a television appearance that he had acted inappropriately and agreed with an interviewer who had characterized Weinstein’s reported actions as illegal.
The acknowledgment by the lawyer, Lisa Bloom, came during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” in which he asked her about the report.
“This is a real pattern over 30 years. This is like textbook sexual harassment,” Stephanopoulos said, after describing the allegations.
“It’s gross, yeah,” Bloom replied.
“It’s illegal,” Stephanopoulos said.
“Yes. You know, I agree,” Bloom said. “See, you have to understand that, yes, I’m here as his adviser. I’m not defending him in any sexual harassment cases — there aren’t any sexual harassment cases. I’m working with a guy who has behaved badly over the years, who is genuinely remorseful, who says, you know, ‘I have caused a lot of pain.’”
Reached by the Times for additional comment Friday, Bloom said: “The New York Times allegations, if true, would constitute sexual harassment. However, Mr. Weinstein denies many of them and was not given a fair opportunity to present evidence and witnesses on his side.”
Weinstein apologized for his behavior, acknowledging in a statement Thursday that it had “caused a lot of pain” and vowing to “do better.”
Taking allegations ‘seriously’
David Glasser, the president of The Weinstein Co., said in an email to employees Friday that the company was “taking the allegations seriously” and that the investigation would determine the “best decision for how to address the situation.”
He said the company would start working with an “independent, third-party firm” to which employees could report episodes of harassment they had experienced or witnessed. He said that the company “values women” and was “committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.”
“I truly want to do what is right for this company, our many wonderful partners and, most importantly, you — our employees, so we are not taking this lightly,” Glasser wrote.
In response to the news, at least four Democratic senators said Thursday that they would give away donations they had received from Weinstein, a supporter of several progressive causes. They were joined Friday by Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Kamala Harris of California.