HARVEY GETS OFF
No charges filed in model case
LIGHTS, CAMERA — no legal action.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office, after an intense twoweek probe, announced Friday that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein will face no charges for allegedly groping a young Italian model.
A source said the DA felt the case involving Ambra Battilana could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt — in part because of her credibility issues.
The 22-year-old brunette claimed she was assaulted while in Weinstein’s office to discuss a lingerie shoot audition, a law enforcement source said.
“We are pleased this episode is behind us,” said Risa Heller, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, before declining to comment any further on the case.
Weinstein arrived at the Tribeca office where he met with Battilana on March 27 about two hours after the decision was made public. He offered a smirk and a half-wave, but said nothing.
Battilana, spotted outside her apartment after leaving her attorney’s office, also had little to say.
“Call my lawyer,” she told a Daily News reporter.
Battilana’s attorney, David Godosky, declined comment “at this time,” leaving the window open for a possible civil suit.
There were credibility issues with Battilana, 22, because she lied to investigators about her sexual relationship with a 70-yearold man in her native Italy, a law enforcement source said. The man, identified only as Mr. G., admitted to having a relationship with Battilana, but claimed it was consensual. He said he paid her with jewelry, expensive tanning cream and a car.
Another problem with building a case against Weinstein was that they were alone during the meeting, creating a “he said/she said” scenario.
“This case was taken seriously from the outset, with a thorough investigation conducted by our sex crimes unit,” said Joan Vollero, spokeswoman for the DA. “After analyzing the available evidence, including multiple interviews with both parties, a criminal charge is not supported.”
The 63-year-old married father of five faced possible misdemeanor charges after Battilana accused him of grabbing her breasts and slipping a hand under her skirt during a “business meeting.”
The model went to Weinstein’s third-floor office one day after the pair met on the red carpet at a Radio City Music Hall event.
Police said the get-together was billed as a chance for Battilana to discuss her career with the producer, whose hits include “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love.”
But Battilana claimed a randy Weinstein asked if her breasts were real before ignoring her protests and groping the younger woman. He finally backed off after she rejected his request for a kiss, Battilana told police.
Cops later had Battilana call Weinstein as they listened in, and a source indicated that the movie mogul never denied touching her — and actually assured her there would not be a sequel.