Oscar-winning movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who took an indefinite leave of absence after multiple women came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment, has been fired by the film studio he co-founded.
The firing, which was announced late on Sunday, came just three days after the New York Times reported that multiple women had accused Weinstein of sexual harassment over several decades, during which he reached at least 8 settlements with women.
“In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company .. have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately,” the company said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear whether the decision to fire Weinstein was the result of reports in the news media or whether the company had discovered additional information as part of its own investigation.
When the accusations were made public on Thursday, Weinstein apologized and admitted that his behavior with colleagues had caused “a lot of pain.” His statement did not make clear which behavior he was admitting to, but an advisor for Weinstein said the producer denies many of the allegations.
“I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then,” Weinstein said in Thursday’s statement. “I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office – or out of it. To anyone.”
Weinstein’s accusers include actress Ashley Judd, who said she was invited to a business breakfast meeting at a California hotel but was instead sent up to his room, where Weinstein appeared in a bathrobe and asked if he could give her a massage or she could watch him shower.
A second woman, Emily Nestor, told the New York Times that she had worked as a temporary employee for just one day when she was invited to the same hotel. She said Weinstein offered to boost her career if she accepted his sexual advances.
Weinstein, responding to the accusations, took an indefinite leave of absence from the film studio he co-founded with his brother and said he was going to therapy. The news also prompted three members of the company’s board to submit their resignation.
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