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Harvey Weinstein: New York state sues Weinstein Company Harvey Weinstein: New York state sues Weinstein Company
(about 3 hours later)
New York prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against the Weinstein Company, alleging that the studio failed to protect staff from Harvey Weinstein.New York prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against the Weinstein Company, alleging that the studio failed to protect staff from Harvey Weinstein.
Mr Weinstein has been accused of dozens of allegations of sexual abuse, including rape, but denies having non-consensual sex. The film producer is facing dozens of allegations of sexual abuse, including rape, but denies non-consensual sex.
The lawsuit follows a four-month investigation by New York's attorney general. The lawsuit alleges Mr Weinstein abused female employees and made verbal threats to kill staff members.
It also casts doubt over a plan to sell the company to a group of investors. A lawyer for Mr Weinstein said a "fair investigation" would show that many of the allegations were without merit.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Sunday he had filed the suit against the Weinstein Company, Mr Weinstein himself, and his brother Robert. The Weinstein Company is yet to comment.
Mr Schneiderman said in a statement that "neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched" by any sale of the studio and that the sale "must ensure that victims will be compensated". What is in the lawsuit?
"Every New Yorker has a right to a workplace free of sexual harassment, intimidation, and fear," the statement added. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Sunday that he had filed the suit against the Weinstein Company, as well as Mr Weinstein and his brother Robert, who co-founded the studio.
The Weinstein Company has held discussions with investors over a possible sale. It is reported that businesswoman Maria Contreras-Sweet led talks to buy the studio for $500m (£362m). He is seeking an unspecified sum to cover damages, plus penalties, for victims of alleged abuse by Harvey Weinstein, 65.
But citing people familiar with the sale. Reuters reported that negotiations are now on hold. The document alleges that Mr Weinstein sexually harassed and abused women employed by the studio for years.
It accuses senior executives at the company, including Robert Weinstein, of failing to prevent the mistreatment of staff despite being presented with evidence.
The lawsuit follows a four-month investugation and cites multiple examples of alleged misconduct by Mr Weinstein, including:
In response, Mr Brafman said that while Mr Weinstein's behaviour "was not without fault", there was "no criminality".
"At the end of the inquiry it will be clear that Harvey Weinstein promoted more women to key executive positions than any other industry leader and there was zero discrimination at either Miramax or [the Weinstein Company]." he said.
What does this mean for Weinstein Company?
The suit casts doubt over the sale of the Weinstein Company, which has been battling bankruptcy and is in talks with investors.
Mr Schneiderman said his investigation was continuing, but he had brought the suit out of concern that a possible sale would leave alleged victims without adequate compensation, and could benefit "perpetrators or enablers".
It is reported that businesswoman Maria Contreras-Sweet has led talks to buy the studio for $500m (£362m).
But after news of the suit emerged, negotiations are now said to be on hold.
Investors baulked at the prospect of the lawsuit adding conditions to the sale, Variety reported.
What is Mr Weinstein accused of?
In October last year, The New York Times published a story detailing decades of allegations of sexual harassment against Mr Weinstein.
Since then more than 50 women, among them some of the biggest names in Hollywood, have accused the film producer of sexual assault, harassment, abuse and rape.
In the wake of the allegations, Mr Weinstein was sacked by the board of his company.
He is under investigation by UK and US police but no charges have been brought.
Mr Weinstein, who was once among the most powerful men in Hollywood, has admitted that his behaviour has "caused a lot of pain" but has described many of the allegations against him as "patently false".