Video Proof! Harvey Weinstein Touches Accuser Melissa Thompson Inappropriately in 2011 Business Meeting
The footage shows him stroking her arm and touching her while demonstrating video technology for an upcoming movie at his office in New York City.
A video of Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood filmmaker touching a woman inappropriately has been released. Melissa Thompson, who sued Weinstein in June had recorded one of her meetings with him in 2011. The footage shows him stroking her arm and touching her while demonstrating video technology for an upcoming movie at his office in New York City. Dozens of women have accused Weinstein of raping them. Earlier this year, he was charged with sexually assaulting three women in New York.
The clip shows his refusing a handshake and hugging her instead, he even rubs her back. And as they both sit, he touches her shoulders and goes on to say: "Let me have a little part of you. Can you give it to me?" At a point, he slips his hand up her dress after agreeing to use the technology to promote his movies. While the video has been only from the waist upwards, it shows Thompson's sheer discomfort. She can be heard telling him: "That's too high. That's too high." Harvey Weinstein Finally Surrenders Himself to Authorities Over Sexual Abuse Allegations
After Sky News aired portions of the video, Weinstein's lawyer Benjamin Brafman said the video "demonstrates that there is nothing forceful" and shows "casual, if not awkward, flirting from both parties". The report Brafman as saying, "Several respected journalists and trustworthy individuals have seen the entire video. What they shared with us is that the video, when viewed in its entirety, in context and not in select excerpts, demonstrates that there is nothing forceful, but casual - if not awkward - flirting from both parties."
Here is the video:
He added saying, "Anything short of that is intended to make Mr Weinstein appear inappropriate, and even exploitative. It was produced by Ms Thompson to bolster her position in a civil lawsuit seeking money. This is a further attempt to publicly disgrace Mr Weinstein for financial gain, and we will not stand for it. Facts do matter." Cannes 2018: Post Harvey Weinstein Sexual Harassment Scandal, French Riviera Film Festival Introduces Helpline
In an interview with Sky News, Thompson said that his changed the way he was in the start of the meeting and "looked like a predator". She later met him at a nearby hotel bar when she was supposed to close the technology deal. But, Weinstein took her to a hotel room and raped her. While she tried to fight her way through, she couldn't. Thompson said, " If I would try to fight myself away from him, he would then move around to where he could block me in somewhere, and he’s a big individual."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2018 04:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).