The Harvey Weinstein Scandal – The Accusations and the Fallout

The scandal around Harvey Weinstein continues to develop every day.

Weinstein has been a powerful and influential Hollywood producer for decades, co-founding with his brother Bob Weinstein the independent film distribution studio Miramax in 1979. In 2005 the two left Miramax and started their own independent movie studio The Weinstein Company.

Throughout his career, the 65-years-old media mogul formed a vast network of professional connection in the industry, as well as connections with a huge number of A-list celebrities.

In 1987, Weinstein married his personal assistant with whom he shares three daughters. The couple divorced in 2004 and Weinstein remarried the English fashion designer and Marchesca co-founder Georgina Chapman in 2007. Weinstein and Chapman share two kids.

Even though many say that rumors of Weinstein’s inappropriate conduct have been around Hollywood and the industry for many years, the first report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct was published just recently by The New York Times on October 5.

The reports states that “Mr. Weinstein has reached at least eight settlements with women” after being confronted with claims of sexual harassment from 1990-2015. The first star to come forward with sexual harassment allegations was Ashley Judd, saying in a recent interview, “women have been talking about Harvey among ourselves for a long time, and it’s simply beyond time to have the conversation publicly.”

In response to the Times’ story of Weinstein’s treatment of women in Hollywood, Weinstein released a statement to the paper writing in response: “I came of age in the ’60s and ’70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned it’s not an excuse – in the office or out of it. To anyone.” Weinstein’s statement also included an apology for the pain he must have caused to his colleagues in the past, adding that now he is committed to “conquer[ing] his demons.”

While the NYT article spoke of eight women who alleged they had been victims of Weinstein’s harassment, in the days following its publication, many other women have come out with their own stories. These women include A-list actresses, industry professionals as well as Weinstein’s former employees.

As a response to the slew of sexual misconduct allegations, Sallie Hofmeister, a spokesperson for Weinstein issued a statement to The New Yorker denying any allegations of non-consensual sex.

Since news broke, many Hollywood stars have spoken out against Weinstein as well as the culture of sexual misconduct, that some say pervades the industry. Many confirm that there were indeed rumors that Weinstein behaved inappropriately, but the extent of the accusations was unknown.

The Weinstein Company board of representatives released a statement on Sunday, October 8 announcing the producer’s “employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately.” A couple of days later, a follow-up statement by the TWC’s board of representatives read that the members of the board are “shocked and dismayed by the recently emerged allegations of extreme sexual misconduct and sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein,” adding that the board is “committed to assisting with our full energies in all criminal or other investigations of these alleged acts, while pursuing justice for the victims and a full and independent investigation of our own.”

On Tuesday People magazine reported that Weinstein’s wife, announced that due to the allegations, she plans on leaving her husband. The 41-year-old designer released a statement confirming her plans to separate saying that her “heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband.”