Hollywood producer accused of sexual assault by female stars

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Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has been fired by The Weinstein Company after sexual harassment claims leveled against the producer of numerous Oscar-winning movies.

"In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately," the Weinstein Company Board said in a statement.

The New York Times reported last Thursday that Harvey Weinstein has over the years reached at least eight legal settlements with women over alleged harassment.

Weinstein on that day issued a lengthy statement that acknowledged causing "a lot of pain". He also asked for "a second chance". But he and his lawyers have criticized the Times' report in statements and interviews.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie both sent statements to the New York Times, which first reported allegations against him last week.

In a statement, Paltrow alleged that, after Weinstein cast her in the leading role in Emma (1996), he summoned her to his hotel suite, where he placed his hands on her and suggested massages in his bedroom.

"I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified," she told the newspaper.

She said she told her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt about the incident, and said he confronted Weinstein.

The actress said Weinstein yelled at her for telling Pitt and she thought she would be fired. She said: "He screamed at me for a long time. It was brutal. I was expected to keep the secret."

She won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for performing in Shakespeare in Love (1998). Weinstein was one of the producers of the movie.

Jolie said in an email: "I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did. This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable."

Ashley Judd said she was asked to give Weinstein a massage and then a shoulder rub, both of which she declined while trying to get herself out of the room.

That is when he asked her to help him pick out his clothes for the day and then watch him shower.

"I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask," said Judd in the New York Times report.

Brie Larson, who won best actress Oscar for Room in 2016, tweeted, "I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It's not your fault. I believe you."

Ex-President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle added their voice to growing demonstrations of public outrage.

A statement released by the Obamas said they "have been disgusted by the recent reports about Harvey Weinstein". It adds they "celebrate the courage of women who have come forward".

Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said she was "shocked and appalled" by the allegations against Weinstein, and said such behavior "cannot be tolerated". She also promised to gift previous campaign contributions from him to charity.

Over the course of her political career, her campaigns have received about $26,000 in donations from Weinstein according to the Federal Election Commission.

A company insider told TheWrap that the decision to change the name has not yet been formally made, but there were already discussions among the board members and will likely to happen.

As allegations of rape, abuse, and other forms of sexual misconduct against him mount, Harvey Weinstein's wife of a decade has announced she's leaving him.

Georgina Chapman told People magazine in a statement on Tuesday that she was separating from Weinstein with whom she shares two young children.

"My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions," the statement read. "I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time."

Chapman, 41, married the now 65-year-old mogul in 2007. Weinstein told New York Post last week that Chapman "stands 100 percent behind me".

Weinstein's attorney, Charles Harder, told Us Weekly that his team is preparing a lawsuit due to the Times' "false and defamatory statements".

It's also been suggested that Weinstein's brother and co-founder of The Weinstein Company, Bob Weinstein, may have been the person to expose the allegations.

Has his behavior opened a Pandora's box of Hollywood harassment and hypocrisy?

Sources: BBC, Guardian, New York Daily News, CNN

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