New York

Harvey Weinstein ‘Bullied His Way Into Her Room': Attorney

More than 40 women have accused Weinstein, 65, of harassment or abuse

Harvey Weinstein is now facing criminal inquiries in three cities after an Italian actress told Los Angeles detectives the disgraced film mogul raped her in a hotel room in 2013.

Police confirmed Thursday they are looking into the woman's allegations, and her attorney gave additional details about them at a news conference outside a downtown Los Angeles courthouse on Friday afternoon.

The unidentified woman, 38, is an Italian model and actress, according to attorney David M. Ring. In addition to talking to detectives, Ring spoke to reporters Friday, telling them Weinstein "bullied his way into her room," refused to leave and raped her.

"Her greatest regret was opening that door," Ring continued.

The incident occured when the woman was 34 years old, Ring said. The criminal case is within the the statue of limitation of felony rape in California, which is 10 years.

The victim wished her idenity to be protected. She's a mother and she has young children, according to Ring. He said she decribed to the LAPD "extremely serious sexual assault and rape" but did not go into the "graphic" details.

Sallie Hofmeister, a representative for Weinstein, said in a statement that Weinstein "unequivocally denies allegations of non-consensual sex."

The Los Angeles investigation comes after announcements last week by police in New York and London that they are taking a new look at allegations involving the Oscar-winner. New York police are taking a fresh look for complaints involving Weinstein and the department has encouraged anyone who may have information about abuses by the producer to contact the department. London police are investigating allegations of sexual assault against him made by two women.

More than 40 women have accused Weinstein, 65, of harassment or abuse. Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Lupita Nyong'o have all accused Weinstein of harassment, while actresses Asia Argento and Rose McGowan have accused the film mogul of raping them.

Nyong'o accused Weinstein of several incidents of harassment in an op-ed piece published by The New York Times on Thursday, including a 2011 incident in which she said the mogul tried to give her a massage at his Connecticut home. She refused, instead giving the mogul a massage and leaving when he said he wanted to take off his pants, Nyong'o wrote.

The stories of harassment and abuse dating back decades has left to the total downfall of a producer who once ruled Hollywood's awards season with a string of contenders including "Shakespeare in Love," for which he shared an Oscar, and films such as "The King's Speech" and "Silver Linings Playbook."

Since The New York Times published its initial expose on Oct. 5, Weinstein has been fired from the company he co-founded, expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the producers guild has initiated his expulsion. Honors conferred by Harvard University and the British Film Institute have been rescinded, and several Democratic lawmakers have donated political contributions they received from Weinstein to charity.

Ring said in a statement Thursday that the breadth of accusations against Weinstein compelled his client to speak to police.

"My client is grateful to all the courageous women who have already come forward to finally expose Weinstein," Ring said. "These women may not have realized it, but they gave my client the support and encouragement to hold Weinstein accountable for this horrible act."

The Television Academy says it has voted to begin disciplinary proceedings against Weinstein.

The academy's board of governors issued a statement Friday declaring that "sexual harassment in any form is abhorrent and totally unacceptable."

The academy, which bestows the Emmy awards, said a hearing has been set for November to consider "action up to and including termination of academy membership."

The Academy released the following statement Friday on Harvey Weinstein, following a meeting by the group's Board of Governors on Thursday night in Los Angeles:

"Sexual harassment in any form is abhorrent and totally unacceptable. Television is a collaborative industry and we fully support those who have been affected by these allegations. The Television Academy stands united with those throughout the industry condemning such behavior in the strongest terms.

"The Television Academy's Board of Governors met this evening. In accordance with the Academy's established procedures, it was overwhelmingly decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings concerning Academy member Harvey Weinstein; such proceedings could result in action up to and including termination of Academy membership. Per the Academy's bylaws, a hearing has been set for early November."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us