Weinstein’s Deep Ties Within Democratic, Hollywood Establishment

Kenneth Whittle:

A flood of testimony against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has been exposed in the wake of the New York Times‘ release of an expose detailing multiple allegations of sexual harassment against the producer.

Last week, the New York Times detailed the claims of numerous women who stated that Weinstein had sexually harassed them, and had received settlements from him in exchange for their silence. Episodes included asking Ashley Judd to watch him shower,  masturbating in front of Lauren Sivan and  paying a $100,000 settlement to Rose McGowan.

The New Yorker also related allegations from three women, including Lucia Evans and Asia Argento, who claim that they were raped by Weinstein and forced to perform and receive oral sex. Mira Sorvino reported Weinstein attempted to pressure her into a physical relationship in 1995.

Four other women have also claimed that they were inappropriately touched by the Hollywood mogul. The New Yorker has alco released disturbing audio from the 2015 encounter between Weinstein and Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, in which Weinstein admits to groping her.

On October 8, the embattled producer announced that he had been fired from the Weinstein Company. This led to rumors that Weinstein planned to head to Europe for sex rehab, which prompted the FBI to open an investigation over fears that he may attempt a Polanski-style escape from prosecution. However, according to the Daily Mail, Weinstein had a last-minute change of heart and decided to travel to Arizona for treatment.

The FBI is said to be looking into allegations that Weinstein forced Lucia Evans, who at the time was an aspiring actress, to perform oral sex on him in New York in 2004.

On Wednesday, the NYPD announced that the Special Victims Division had been ordered to attempt to identify, locate, and interview any other potential victims. Under New York State law, there is no statute of limitations on rape and criminal sexual acts, its legal term for forced oral or anal intercourse.

This is not the first time Weinstein has dealt with allegations regarding abusive sexual proclivities. In March of 2015, Weinstein was accused of touching the breasts of a 22-year-old Italian model during a business meeting. It was reported at the time that Weinstein had reached a settlement, and would not face criminal charges.

Interestingly, The International Business Times reported that Weinstein’s attorney, David Boies, gave $10,000 to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. just months after his office declined to pursue charges of sexual assault.

Weinstein is also known for his support for Roman Polanksi, who fled to Paris in 1977 in order to escape charges in relation to the rape of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer.

Weinstein created a petition on Polanski’s behalf and contributed an article for the Independent calling for the producer to be allowed to return to the United States without fear of legal prosecution.

Weinstein wrote: “Whatever you think about the so-called crime, Polanski has served his time.”

Following the release of the New York Times’ initial report, Weinstein released the following statement:

 
That Weinstein would shift blame for his appalling behavior on his ‘coming of age’ in the 60’s and 70’s, stating that the rules regarding “behavior and workplaces were different,” is a disgrace. His implication that treating a woman with the same respect and dignity that one treats any man is something that “…isn’t an overnight process,” demonstrates the depth of his sexism and appears to be an extension of his deeply abusive thought process.

Weinstein goes on to insert politics into the situation in order to deflect from the issue while passing blame to Republicans, stating that he will channel his full attention and anger towards the NRA and its CEO Wayne LaPierre. Weinstein went on to state that he is making a movie about the President, and also points out that last year he, “…began organizing a $5 million foundation to give scholarships to women directors at USC.”

 
Regardless of one’s political affiliation, Weinstein’s statements reek of yet another attempt to buy off his guilt, by paying money into causes which might reinstate his credibility. This act only further cements his image as an abusive individual, incapable of taking responsibility for his actions, lacking any sense of real remorse for his serious wrongdoings.

Weinstein has also announced that he intends to sue the New York Times in response to their initial article on the matter. Weinstein went on to further state that: “In the past I used to compliment people, and some took it as me being sexual, I won’t do that again. I admit to a whole way of behavior that is not good. I can’t talk specifics, but I put myself in positions that were stupid, I want to respect women and do things better”.

The combination of deflection and retaliation seen in Weinstein’s comments echoes the combination of pleading and thinly veiled threats heard in the audio tape of Weinstein and a young woman who repeatedly refused his advances. During the clip, Weinstein alternated between repetitive pleas, with threats to the woman’s reputation, exemplifying manipulative and abusive tactics.

According to the Daily Mail, Weinstein believes that there is a “conspiracy with a political agenda” behind the recent slew of revelations. Weinstein was reported to have indicated that a team of lawyers are being financed by conservative organizations, who are digging up these stories because, “…[they] know he is long-time foe of the NRA, of Donald Trump, and a longtime supporter of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the Democrats.”

 
Weinstein further explained, “The Times had a deal with us that they would tell us about the people they had on the record in the story, so we could respond appropriately, but they didn’t live up to the bargain.” He went on to further state that the New York Times was working against him, claiming that they never report on the good things he has done, and instead focus on trying to bring him down.

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