An unnamed actress has filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, claiming he raped her at a Beverly Hills hotel in 2016.
The plaintiff, who is identified as Jane Doe in the suit, said she was introduced to the now-disgraced film producer in 2011, when he offered to assist with her acting career. Weinstein allegedly kept in contact with the woman over the years, inviting her to industry events like parties and award shows. The suit, obtained Variety, stated Weinstein arranged a meeting with the actress at the Montage Hotel in 2015 to discuss a role on the Netflix series Marco Polo. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly told the woman he wanted to masturbate in front of her. She said she wasn’t OK with that.
"Weinstein told her that he would not touch her, but ‘only’ wanted her to watch him," according to the suit. "Despite her telling Weinstein ‘no,’ Weinstein proceeded to grip her wrist with one hand while using the other to masturbate in front of her to completion."
Weinstein reportedly contacted the woman in 2016, giving her the impression she had landed the role in Marco Polo. He then invited her to the Montage Hotel to celebrate. She accepted the invitation.
While in a hotel room, the woman claims Weinstein excused himself and returned in nothing but a bathrobe.
"Before Plaintiff could leave, Weinstein grabbed her and pulled her into the bedroom," the suit states. "Plaintiff told Weinstein she did not want to do anything sexual with him. He forcefully threw Plaintiff onto the bed. He pulled down her jeans and started to orally copulate her."
The woman said she tried to get away, but Weinstein "used his massive weight and strength" to penetrate her without a condom.
Famed attorney Gloria Allred is representing the woman. In addition to Weinstein, the woman is suing the Weinstein Co., claiming its executives were aware of the producer’s sexual misconduct.
A representative for Weinstein has denied the woman’s allegations.
"Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein," a spokesperson said. "Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. Mr. Weinstein obviously can’t speak to anonymous allegations, but with respect to any women who have made allegations on the record, Mr. Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual."
More than 80 have accused the film producer of sexual harassment and/or abuse. Weinstein is now under investigation by the NYPD, LAPD, Beverly Hills Police Department, London’s Metropolitan Police Service, and Scotland Yard.
