Two more women accused movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault this week, and the company he co-founded is facing a potentially costly lawsuit over his conduct. Harvey Weinstein, is a film producer and former film studio executive. He and his brother Bob Weinstein co-founded Miramax, which produced several popular independent films.
More than half a dozen women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or rape and more than 50 women have publicly detailed a range of inappropriate behavior by the Hollywood mogul. On Tuesday Mimi Haleyi, a production assistant on a Weinstein Co. TV show, said she was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in 2006. Also, according to the Los Angeles Times, on the same day, actress Dominique Huett said Weinstein sexually abused her in 2010 in Beverly Hills. Huett sued the company for negligence, marking the first civil suit over the former co-chairman’s alleged abuses since the scandal came to light.
The latest allegations against Weinstein come as a disgrace to the producer’s company and brand. Private equity firm Colony Capital is doing its due diligence before it decides whether to buy the Weinstein Co. after providing the New York mini-studio with a financial lifeline. As Weinstein faces more accusations, more concern grows for his studio. On Monday, the office of New York’s Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s launched a civil rights investigation into Weinstein Co. They issued a subpoena seeking several documents, including any files related to harassment complaints and settlements.
The Weinstein Co., is known for movies including “The King’s Speech” and “Django Unchained.” The company had its own struggles with a lack of box-office hits even before its former co-chairman was accused of sexual harassment and assault. Therefore, Harvey Weinstein was fired by the company’s board on Oct.8.
