Hollywood was rocked this week as a huge Sexual Harassment scandal erupted after The New York Times published an article detailing the accusations. At the center of the scandal is producer and studio executive, Harvey Weinstein, who, along with his brother, co-chairs film studio The Weinstein Company. Some of the notable movies produced by the New York-based company include 2016’s critically acclaimed film “Lion” and 2012’s “Django Unchained.” In 1999, Weinstein won the Academy Award for Best Picture for “Shakespeare in Love.”

Serious allegations by celebrities and employees

Among the accusers named in the article is actress Ashley Judd.

She claimed that Weinstein, whilst wearing a bathrobe, offered to give her a massage or have her watch him shower in the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel. When CNN contacted the actress’ publicist, Annette Wolf for a comment, she said that the article “speaks for itself.”

Two other instances of sexual harassment took place in the same hotel, according to the article. Emily Nestor, whose colleagues sent her accounts to Weinstein Company executives, alleged that while she was working as a temporary employee, Weinstein offered to boost her career in return for sexual favors. Another employee, who worked as a personal assistant, claimed that she was repeatedly asked to give him a massage while he was naked.

Soon after the news emerged, former Fox News TV anchor Lauren Sivan told The Huffington Post that the producer masturbated in front of her until he ejaculated. The magazine also quoted her as saying that Weinstein trapped her in the hallway of a restaurant in Manhattan before he carried out the crude act. The incident reportedly took place a decade ago while Sivan was working as a journalist on News 12 in Long Island.

Sivan later took to Twitter to explain why she waited so long to come forward.

“YOU try telling that story 10yrs ago. Only possible now because of women with bigger names far braver than me,” she tweeted.

The bombshell report by The New York Times further stated that according to two company insiders, Weinstein settled at least eight allegations against him.

Among the recipients were two assistants, an actress, a model and an employee, said the report published on Thursday.

Accusations are being investigated

On Friday, several magazines reported that one-third of Weinstein Company’s board resigned while the accused co-chairman took an indefinite leave after apologizing in a statement released by his publicist. It also emerged that the company launched an investigation into the allegations made in the report.
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