MODEL’S ‘ LIES’ CLEAR WEINSTEIN
No paw rap on Harv as doubts dog model
Film mogul Harvey Weinstein will not face criminal charges over an Italian model’s groping claims — largely because her credibility was shredded for lying about an earlier rape accusation, sources told The Post Friday.
“She lied,” one source close to the investigation said about Ambra Battilana.
The 22yearold stunner had sued her then 70-year-old Italian sugar daddy — identified only as “Mr. G.” — accusing him of a 2010 sexual assault.
But she played dumb when questioned by Manhattan investigators about the case, saying, “I don’t remember that,” the sources said.
Her lack of credibility played a major role in Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance’s decision announced Friday to not pursue criminal charges against Weinstein, the sources said. “After analyzing the available evidence, including multiple interviews with both parties, a criminal charge is not supported,” Vance spokeswoman Joan Vollero said.
The stunning Battilana claimed Weinstein grabbed her breast and stuck his hand up her skirt during a March 27 meeting in his Tribeca Film Center office.
But she refused to cooperate with authorities for four days after she first complained to police.
Instead, Battilana and her manager worked behind the scenes with one of Weinstein’s top aides to cut a deal to get her into one of his flicks, sources have said.
Battilana was finally interviewed by Manhattan prosecutors April 1 at the NYPD Special Victims Squad’s offices. The alleged grope took place during a discussion the two were having over an upcoming audition Battilana was to have to be a Victoria’s Secret model, sources said.
Cops had her place a “controlled call” to Weinstein, which they listened in on and also recorded.
“He basically admits on the tape that he got a little frisky with her, but he does not explicitly admit to any crime and [ said] that it would not happen again,” the source said.
“We are pleased this episode is behind us,” said Risa Heller, a spokesman for Weinstein, who declined to comment.
Battilana’s lawyer did not return calls for comment.
Other factors also threw shade on the chesty model’s credibility.
Battilana wasn’t upset enough by the alleged groping to surrender a primo seat for Weinstein’s new Broadway show — which she attended less than a day after the incident.
The former beauty queen showed off her $ 227 freebie ticket on Instagram with a photo taken fromher sixt-hrow-center seat for a matinee performance of the Weinstein produced “Finding Neverland” at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre.
The suit against “Mr. G.” emerged when Battilana became a witness against then Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was tried in 2011 on charges he’d had sex with an underage prostitute. He was eventually acquitted.