“Harvey Weinstein’s attorneys’ use of my (true) statement … as evidence that he was not abusive with many OTHER women is pathetic and exploitive.”
In a court filing Wednesday, Harvey Weinstein asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him by six women who say he assaulted them.
Weinstein argued that even if what the women allege did happen, none of it would be considered a sex act under the law. The allegations range from forcible kissing, insisting on massages while naked, demands to see breasts, and asking to watch him masturbate.
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In a motion to dismiss the suit, Weinstein’s lawyers used part of a statement made by Meryl Streep in which she said Weinstein “had always been respectful to her in their working relationship,” and the award-winning actor is not happy about it.
The quote is part of Meryl Streep’s initial statement about the allegations against Weinstein from Oct. 9, in which she said, “One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally.”
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“Harvey Weinstein’s attorneys’ use of my (true) statement — that he was not sexually transgressive or physically abusive in our business relationship — as evidence that he was not abusive with many OTHER women is pathetic and exploitive,” Streep said in a statement sent to BuzzFeed News.
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“The criminal actions he is accused of conducting on the bodies of these women are his responsibility, and if there is any justice left in the system he will pay for them — regardless of how many good movies, made by many good people, Harvey was lucky enough to have acquired or financed.”
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The Weinstein Company has been trying to extricate itself from the class action lawsuit, as are those who were members of the board of directors at the time of the alleged misconduct.
Weinstein is facing multiple civil lawsuits after dozens of women came forward to the New York Times and the New Yorker with sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct allegations against him. The disgraced Hollywood producer is also under criminal investigation and could face charges in New York, California, and the UK.