Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein accused of decades of sexual harassment

THE legendary producer behind some of Hollywood’s biggest movies has been hit with explosive sexual harassment allegations.

OSCAR-winning producer and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is taking a leave of absence from the Weinstein Co following a bombshell report in the New York Times about sexual harassment accusations dating back decades.

The Times cited “dozens” of current and former employees who reported inappropriate sexual behaviour on Weinstein’s part.

The paper also reported that Weinstein reached confidential settlements with at least eight women, including actress Rose McGowan.

McGowan is one of the actresses listed in the report. Photo: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images

The studio executive has long been a powerful force in Hollywood.

He’s best known as the co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company, which collectively have produced dozens of the biggest films released over the past couple of decades - including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare In Love, Scream, Good Will Hunting, and all three instalments of The Lord of the Rings franchise.

Following the allegations, Weinstein told the New York Times: “I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologise for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go.”

In his full statement, he added that he had been “learning” about appropriate behaviour.

“I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behaviour 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.”

The story cites a memo drafted by Lauren O’Connor, a former Weinstein Co employee, which raised alarms about allegations over a two-year period. Another incident involved a temporary employee named Emily Nestor, who was invited to Weinstein’s hotel room in 2014 and told he could help her career in exchange for sexual advances.

While Weinstein disputes some of the specific allegations, he is working with a therapist to address his behaviour, the Times reported.

The story quotes actress Ashley Judd, who spoke to Variety in 2015 about being sexually harassed by an unnamed mogul.

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Weinstein is threatening to sue the Times over the report, claiming it is “saturated with false and defamatory statements”.

In Charles Harder’s statement to Page Six, he claimed it “relies on mostly hearsay accounts and a faulty report, apparently stolen from an employee personnel file, which has been debunked by nine different eyewitnesses.”

The lawyer added: “We sent the Times the facts and evidence, but they ignored it and rushed to publish. We are preparing the lawsuit now. All proceeds will be donated to women’s organisations.”

While Harder didn’t specify how much money they planned to sue for, sources told the New York Post it could be as much as $US50 million.