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Ashley Judd’s Sexual Harassment Case Against Harvey Weinstein Was Just Dismissed


Actress Ashley Judd was one of the first women to publicly speak out against former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and in May of last year she filed a lawsuit against him alleging that her career was damaged by lies he spread about her in Hollywood after she spurned his sexual advances.

On January 9, a federal judge in California dismissed a portion of her suit, stating that her sexual harassment allegations did not fall within a specific legal statute. According to the New York Times, Judge Philip Gutierrez’s order was clear in saying that he was not ruling as to whether or not Judd as sexually harassed “in the colloquial sense of the term” but that the law could not be applied because she did not have a “specific business arrangement” with Weinstein at the time, which is a legal requirement.

So basically, the judge is not saying that Judd’s claim that Weinstein appeared in a bathrobe during a business meeting and asked her to let him massage her and watch him shower didn’t happen, just that it’s not sexual harassment under the California law because recent changes to the statue mandate that sexual harassment only applies if there is a specific business relationship between the parties. (The judge also did not state that it did happen.) That sounds like a pretty messed up law to me, especially given that Judd says the meeting was indeed about business.

Weinstein has continued to deny Judd’s accusations. “We have said from the beginning that this claim was unjustified, and we are pleased that the court saw it as we did,” Phyllis Kupferstein, one of Weinstein’s lawyers, said in a statement. “We believe that we will ultimately prevail on her remaining claims.”

Despite the recent setback, Judd is continuing with the rest of her case. “Nothing about today’s ruling changes that Ms. Judd’s case is moving forward on multiple claims,” Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., her lead attorney, said in a statement to the Times.



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Harvey Weinstein Indicted on Rape Charges by New York Grand Jury


On Wednesday, a Manhattan grand jury officially indicted Harvey Weinstein on charges of rape and criminal sexual act, according to the Associated Press.

“This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged,” Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said in a statement. “Our office will try this case not in the press, but in a courtroom where it belongs.”

In the statement, Vance also thanked the “heroic survivors for their strength throughout this process” and thanked the New York City Police Department for its dedication to the case. The statement ended by urging any other potential victims to come forward with their allegations.

Weinstein did not testify in front of the grand jury on Wednesday. According to Weinstein’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman, he did not have adequate time to prepare his client for testimony.

“After being unfairly denied access to critical information about this case that was needed to defend him before the grand jury, Mr. Weinstein’s attorneys decided that there was not sufficient time to properly prepare Mr. Weinstein,” Brafman said in a statement. Brafman added that he felt an indictment was “inevitable” regardless of what his client may say on the stand due to “unfair political pressure.”

Weinstein turned himself in to authorities last week to face charges.

The disgraced Hollywood producer will now face the accusations brought by Lucia Evans, who says she met Weinstein in 2004. In October, Evans gave an in-depth interview to The New Yorker where she explained that during a one-on-one meeting with Weinstein, she was forced to perform oral sex on him.

“He’s a big guy. He overpowered me,” Evans said. “I just sort of gave up.”

Weinstein is currently out on $1 million bail and is required to wear an ankle bracelet as he awaits trial. To date, Weinstein has denied all allegations against him.

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Ashley Judd: What Harvey Weinstein's Arrest Means for #MeToo


Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer accused of numerous incidents of sexual assault and misconduct, turned himself into authorities on Friday after facing charges of of first- and third-degree rape and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree. The news was met with an outpouring of emotion from women who had spoken out against Weinstein in the past—and on Saturday, actress and Weinstein accuser Ashley Judd penned a powerful op-ed for Time about what his arrest means for the future of #MeToo.

“When the news broke that Harvey Weinstein would be surrendering himself on rape and sexual assault charges, I didn’t have a reaction,” she wrote. “As I spoke with others for whom the ground was shaking I realized my feeling was that a sexual predator being legally accountable for criminal behavior is and should be normal, routine and not particularly newsworthy. And I also understood why it is thunderous news.”

Judd continued by writing that Weinstein’s arrest—his turning-in of himself—marked a significant turning point in how society and the criminal justice system addresses the alleged crimes of powerful men, who have often used their own power to make themselves immune to consequences.

“And in this moment, in this era, that a powerful man who thrived and flourished in a culture of impunity was arrested and charged is resoundingly significant. It is a watershed event, an irreversible pivot away from tacit and explicit license to exploit to a ground of firmer boundaries and clarity about intolerable behavior no longer being tolerated,” she wrote.

Still, she expressed disappointment about Weinstein’s own approach to the charges: He had an opportunity to take accountability for his years of allegedly damaging and hurting women but has instead chosen to plead not guilty.

“I was hopeful Harvey would plead guilty, that his surrender was volitional, so that in addition to carving out a singular position of disgrace, he could come forward as the predator who walks out of shame onto a new path of humility, introspection, accountability and amends, thereby leading our men and country in the necessary and inexorable trajectory of restorative justice,” she wrote. “It seems that Harvey, though, will not be the person to do that, as he is pleading not guilty and still maintains, in the face of so many accusations, that all sex was consensual. Denial can stand for ‘I don’t even know I am lying,’ and it appears that is where Harvey still lives.”

Judd ended her piece saying that the movement will have to continue waiting for an “accused who can and will embody what the #MeToo movement and our society needs and wants: someone who can navigate the duality of having aggressed and address their abuse of power with culpability and integrity.”

She concluded that “restorative justice is also dual; in order for survivor-victims and society to embrace and restore the reformed, the reformed must have been genuinely transformed, shedding layers of toxic masculinity, exiting the denial/apology tour and standing in a new and collective space where both the person is and the narrative are made whole and unified.”

Her point touches on an important part of the #MeToo discussion: Many people wonder if there should be a path forward for the scores of accused predators, abusers, and harassers.

Where #MeToo goes from here, as those accused begin to plan their comebacks, is a critical question that powerful figures in the movement are beginning to address. For more, read how #MeToo founder Tarana Burke outlines the next steps for the movement—and lays out how you can participate.

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Harvey Weinstein's Accusers Are Reacting to His Arrest on Twitter: 'We Got You'


After months of allegations, former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein turned himself in for arrest and charges of first- and third-degree rape and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree. More than 80 women have accused him of sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct, including Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mira Sorvino, Asia Argento, and Rose McGowan, since the New York Times and The New Yorker both broke Pulitzer-Prize winning stories featuring some of these women’s testimonies.

Weinstein will be charged with allegations from two women, reports Al Jazeera, one of whom is former actress Lucia Evans, who says that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. More charges might be on the way, too: Prosecutors are also still actively investigating allegations from actress Paz de la Huerta. (Weinstein maintains his denial of engaging in nonconsensual sex; his lawyers say he’ll file a not-guilty plea.)

As news broke of his impending arrest and in the hours after, as Weinstein arrived at the lower Manhattan police station Friday morning, women who have spoken out against Weinstein reacted on social media to his arrest.

Asia Argento, actress who alleges Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her

“Glued to the screen @CNN ‘Harvey Weinstein will be charged with rape'”

“Harvey Weinstein ain’t smiling now.”

Rose McGowan, actress who alleges Weinstein raped her

“I, and so many of Harvey Weinstein’s survivors, had given up hope that our rapist would be held accountable by law. Twenty years ago, I swore that I would right this wrong. Today we are one step closer to justice. We were young women who were assaulted by Weinstein and later terrorized by his vast network of complicity. I stand with my fellow survivors. May his arrest give hope to all victims and survivors everywhere that are telling their truths.”

“We got you, Harvey Weinstein, we got you”

Mira Sorvino, Academy-Award winning actress who said she had to “ward him off” after he made an advance on her

“#Justice… Harvey Weinstein will be charged with rape, abuse”

Lysette Anthony, British Hollyoaks actress who alleges Weinstein raped her

“And so it begins- #JusticeForAll #MeToo”

Annabella Sciorra, Sopranos actress who alleged Weinstein raped her

“Can’t wait!”

Rosanna Arquette, actress who alleges Weinstein thrust her hand at his crotch, telling her she was making a “huge mistake” when she rebuffed him

“Tick tock”

Lauren Sivan, a TV reporter who accused Weinstein of masturbating in front of her

“It’s been a long time coming and today my fellow victims and I rejoice and pray no one ever underestimates the power of women when we stand together + scream the truth #WeSpoke #MeToo #TimesUp #LockHimUp”

Emma de Caunes, actress who alleges she met Weinstein for a meeting at a hotel, during which he went to the bathroom, came out naked, and demanded she lay down next to him on the bed

“Time for justice #HarveyWeinstein”

Heather Graham, actress who said she felt Weinstein implied she had to sleep with him to star in one of his films

“It’s about time: Harvey Weinstein turned himself in this morning and is in police custody. Today, instead of focusing on him, I will be celebrating all of the powerful women out there. This is just the beginning #TheFutureIsFemale”

Jessica Barth, actress who says Weinstein asked her to join him in his hotel room after 2011’s Golden Globes

“A part of justice begins. #HarveyWeinstein #justice #prosecution”

Erika Rosenbaum, actress who alleges Weinstein held her neck in a hotel bathroom while he masturbated

“Thank you for everything, @jodikantor”

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Harvey Weinstein Reportedly Set to Turn Himself in to Authorities on Sexual Assault Charges


Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein is expected to surrender to authorities on Friday, following a lengthy investigation into the sexual assault accusations brought against him, according to reports.

Weinstein, The New York Times reported, is set to be charged by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. The Times further reported that Weinstein will face charges brought by at least one accuser. That person is Lucia Evans, who says she met Weinstein in 2004. Evans told The New Yorker in an in-depth review of Weinstein’s accusers that during a one-on-one meeting with the Hollywood producer, he forced her to perform oral sex on him.

“He’s a big guy. He overpowered me,” Evans told The New Yorker. “I just sort of gave up.”

Of Weinstein’s alleged process of harassing and assaulting women, Evans said, “It feels like a very streamlined process.” She added, “Female casting director, Harvey wants to meet. Everything was designed to make me feel comfortable before it happened. And then the shame in what happened was also designed to keep me quiet.”

According to The New York Times, prosecutors in Manhattan are still actively investigating allegations against Weinstein by actress Paz de la Huerta. She claims Weinstein raped her in her own home in New York City in 2010.

Since the fall of 2017, dozens of women have come forward to accuse Weinstein of misconduct, assault, and rape, including actresses Lena Headey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Mira Sorvino and more. Ashley Judd was one of the first women to go on record with her report, sharing her story in detail with The New York Times in October. Judd told The Times that sometime in the 1990s, Weinstein invited her to the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel under the guise of a breakfast meeting. However, when she arrived at his room, he was only wearing a bathrobe and asked the young actress if she could watch him shower or if he could give her a massage.

“I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask,” Judd said. “It was all this bargaining, this coercive bargaining.”

Weinstein has denied engaging in non-consensual sex with anyone, Reuters writes.

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Asia Argento: Cannes Was Harvey Weinstein's 'Hunting Grounds'


On Saturday, Italian actress and activist Asia Argento addressed the crowd at Cannes, bravely calling out the festival as former producer and alleged serial sexual assaulter Harvey Weinstein‘s “hunting grounds.”

“I was raped by Harvey Weinstein in Cannes in 1997,” Argento said while standing next to director Ava DuVernay as they presented the Best Actress prize. “I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I’m going to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here again. He will never disgrace the community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes.”

Argento noted as she looked out into the crowd, she saw several people who “need to be held accountable for their conduct against women. You know who you are.”

Argento added: “But most importantly we know who you are and we will not allow you to get away with it any longer.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Argento’s comments silenced the crowd. Those attending, THR reports, looked visibly stunned. Following her speech, jury president Cate Blanchett stood up on stage and added, “It is complicated as a woman to stand.”

Argento later posted a clip of her speech to her Instagram account, writing “Speaking Truth To Power in Cannes since nobody else would do it ✊ Women Fight On! This speech goes out to all my sisters. I love you. I am grateful. We shall prevail. #cannes2018 #cloture”

Though Argento’s words were an important message to the wider film industry, the festival has refused to update its own code of conduct to specifically ban sexual harassment. Instead, it’s set up a hotline for victims to call.

In 2017, Argento detailed Weinstein’s alleged assault to the New Yorker, explaining that when the assault happened she did not speak out because she feared retribution and that Weinstein would “crush” her career.

“I know he has crushed a lot of people before,” Argento said. “That’s why this story—in my case, it’s 20 years old; some of them are older—has never come out.”

According to Argento’s account, she was asked to attend a party thrown by Miramax at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, on the French Riviera. She explained she felt she needed to attend for professional reasons—but when a producer brought her upstairs, it was just Weinstein alone in the room.

“I’m like, ‘Where is the fucking party?’” she told New Yorker, adding that the producer replied, “Oh, we got here too early,” and then left her alone with Weinstein.

Argento alleged that Weinstein at first praised her work, before leaving the room and returning only wearing a bathrobe.

“He asks me to give a massage. I was, like, ‘Look, man, I am no fucking fool,’” Argento said. “But, looking back, I am a fucking fool. And I am still trying to come to grips with what happened.”

Argento said she reluctantly agreed to give him a massage, at which point Weinstein allegedly pulled up her skirt and performed oral sex on the actress against her will.

“The thing with being a victim is I felt responsible,” she said. “Because, if I were a strong woman, I would have kicked him in the balls and run away. But I didn’t. And so I felt responsible.”

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