The well-known producer is in some hot water. Oscar-winner Harvey Weinstein is under investigation for sexual assault after a woman claimed he groped her, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to People. The NYPD is investigating Weinstein after a 22-year-old woman filed a report stating that the 63-year-old entertainment mogul sexually assaulted her in New York City on Friday. Sergeant Lee Jones told People, "There is a current investigation for an alleged sexual abuse committed by Mr. Weinstein." Weinstein has not yet responded to Bustle's request for comment.
(Update, March 31: A rep for Harvey Weinstein has released a statement regarding the allegations. Ken Sunshine told People, "We are cooperating fully with the authorities and are confident that we will be fully vindicated.")
(Update, April 10: According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Weinstein will not face charges: "This case was taken seriously from the outset, with a thorough investigation conducted by our sex crimes unit. After analyzing the available evidence, including multiple interviews with both parties, the criminal charge is not supported.” In addition, a rep for Weinstein said, "We are pleased this episode is behind us.")
No arrests have been made at this time. The New York Daily News reported on Monday that the anonymous woman went to the police after Weinstein reportedly "sexually abused her in his Manhattan office." Weinstein allegedly touched her "private area," as the New York Daily News reports, and breasts around 6 p.m. on Friday at his office, which is located at the Tribeca Film Center. A source told the publication said, “He initiated the contact. He saw her and spoke to her. She didn’t know who he was until he approached her.”
According to a police source who spoke with the New York Daily News, the woman went to Weinstein's office at his request to discuss business. Supposedly, the two first met on Thursday and she agreed to meet with Weinstein again on Friday. Another New York Daily News source reports that Weinstein was interviewed by special victims on Saturday and hired a lawyer.
The woman, who Page Six reports is a model for a top agency, reportedly told police that Weinstein asked "if they [her breasts] were real." As reported above, she claims he grabbed her breast and then she said "no." Per The Hollywood Reporter, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed the woman filed a report at 8:30 p.m. on Friday "roughly two hours afters the alleged incident."
Page Six also says a source close to Weinstein believes "this is a blackmail attempt, and he did nothing wrong."
