Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein Fired for Decades of Sexually Harassing Actresses

Not only is Harvey Weinstein a movie mogul, the co-founder of Miramax production company, and the winner of six best-picture Oscars including Pulp Fiction and Good Will Hunting, but he has been accused of being a serial sexual harasser. Weinstein has been accused of sexually harassing a host of women he previously worked with (including actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd) over a span of three decades. Here is what we know about the allegations:

1. Weinstein settled at least eight different sexual harassment and unwanted physical contact complaints with women; a young assistant, an actress, another assistant, a model, and more.
2. All of the accusers were female and in their early to mid-20s at the time of the harassment.
3. Twenty years ago, Weinstein invited Ashley Judd to a business breakfast meeting. Instead of breakfast, Judd was urged to come up to his room where he greeted her in a bathrobe. He then asked if he could give her a massage or if she would watch him shower.
4. Weinstein offered another woman, Emily Nestor, a boost in her career if she accepted his lewd invitations.
5. An assistant accused Weinstein of prodding her to give him a massage while he was nude.
6. Italian model Ambra Battilana, alleges that Weinstein grabbed her breasts and placed his hand up her skirt.
7. Weinstein’s employee, Lauren O’Connor, claims that Weinstein repeatedly made insensitive comments about her; telling her she should just get married, be a wife, and make babies. In addition, she claims that Weinstein frequently lured aspiring actresses women to his hotel room for private meetings.

After O’Connor’s claims went public, Weinstein came forward saying that, though he bears responsibility for his previous lewd behavior, he will also sue the New York Times for “reckless reporting” regarding this story. He believes that the publication has a vendetta against him and that instead of shining light on the positive things he’s done (such as raising $50mil for amfAR) they depicted him as a villain. In addition, Weinstein claims that they made assumptions instead of double checking the facts with him and his team.

Weinstein goes on to say that though O’Connor retracted her claims two days after they went public, the New York Times used them as the basis for their profane depiction of Weinstein. The New York Times, however, claims that they are confident in the accuracy of their piece.

How frequent do you think sexual harassment in the entertainment industry is today?