Steve Pond's Blog, page 1972
March 7, 2020
Former Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara Seeks Next Move One Year After Ouster
Almost one year after Kevin Tsujihara’s ouster from Warner Bros., multiple insiders tell TheWrap the former studio head is actively seeking a position in Hollywood.
In recent weeks, Tsujihara has sought counsel from a veteran studio head to ask if he is employable in the wake of his ouster, according to a knowledgeable individual. The former chairman and CEO of Warner Entertainment was investigated over having helped an actress with casting opportunities while in a sexual relationship with her.
Tsujihara also recently interviewed for a top position at a leading Hollywood production company, according to a second knowledgeable individual. The interview process did not advance out of concerns that women executives at the company would object.
Reached by TheWrap, Tsujihara acknowledged that he’s been “having conversations” around the entertainment industry but declined to elaborate. He was seen at the industry watering hole the Chateau Marmont in late February having a drink with what appeared to be a colleague. A third insider also said he’s been “making the rounds” with former Warner executives and allies.
A spokesperson for Tsujihara has denied that he’s interviewed for any position.
Also Read: After Kevin Tsujihara's Ouster, What's in Store for Warner Bros.?
Insiders say it seems unlikely that Tsujihara will be hired by another major Hollywood studio, especially amid the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, and after Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault trial (although, it must be said that Tsujihara’s allegations are far from the rape accusations leveled at Weinstein). In addition, there are very few jobs available that would match Tsujihara’s level of expertise. One potential position is the one Emma Watts recently vacated at Disney’s 20th Century Studios division.
However, when misconduct allegations were leveled against former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar John Lasseter, Disney showed the door to one of the founders of Pixar and the creative force behind hits like “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life” and “Cars.” Lasseter did land a job with Skydance seven months later, but not without pushback from many employees within the company.
It’s possible that Tsujihara could find opportunities outside the traditional studio and film space. In January, he invested in European basketball league, FIBA through GCBH LP, an investment entity which he leads alongside Brian Bailey, who has held positions in private equity. This allows Tsujihara to keep himself in the game and could potentially open up opportunities to work in film and content financing as opposed to running a studio. One way he could step back into the Hollywood world is by investing in independent projects, the third insider said.
Also Read: Read Kevin Tsujihara's Memo to Staff: 'Became Clear My Leadership Could Be a Distraction'
Given the financial backing he has through GCBH LP, he could also start his own production banner, insiders said.
Regardless of what path he pursues, Tsujihara has built up a lot of good will in Hollywood. Before the accusations leveled against him surfaced, he was a well-liked and respected executive. Tsujihara stepped down just as his role as chairman and CEO at the Warner Bros. film arm had been expanded following AT&T’s $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner.
And some people in Hollywood were confused about his departure given that the accusations did not involve unwelcome sexual advances or behavior.
Last March, Tsujihara and WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey reached a joint decision that his resignation was “in the best interest” of the company. Tsujihara, who had worked for two decades at the studio and served as chairman for the last six years, denied any wrongdoing connected to his past intimate relationship with actress Charlotte Kirk after The Hollywood Reporter published texts between the two that indicated she sought his help in obtaining acting jobs while. On March 8, he wrote a memo to staff in which he said he deeply regrets mistakes that he’s made in his life.
TheWrap has reached out to Time’s Up for comment.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Toby Emmerich Expresses Gratitude to Kevin Tsujihara During CinemaCon Speech
Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara: 'I Deeply Regret That I Have Made Mistakes'
WarnerMedia to Investigate Ties Between Studio Head Kevin Tsujihara, Actress Charlotte Kirk
March 6, 2020
Bill Maher Defends Chris Matthews’ ‘Creepy’ Remarks Made to Women: Married Guys ‘Want to Flirt for 2 Seconds’
Bill Maher came to Chris Matthews’ defense Friday night, excusing the MSNBC “Hardball” host for making “kind of creepy” flirtatious remarks to women over the years.
“A friend of mine lost his job this week, Chris Matthews. I wanted to give him a shout out because I will miss him and a lot of other people will too,” Maher said on his Friday HBO show, “Real Time.” “I thought we would talk about it because MSNBC used to run this thing, ‘This is who we are.’ Well, I don’t like who you were this week, and I don’t think a lot of people who work there liked this either.”
Matthews abruptly retired on-air at the start of “Hardball” earlier in the week following a string of comments that raised eyebrows, all of which Maher pointed out in detail… and poked fun at.
Also Read: MSNBC's Chris Matthews Announces Retirement on Air, Apologizes for Past Inappropriate Comments
“I just want to go through some of the ‘horrible’ things Chris Matthews did,” Maher said. Reading off a list, he first mentioned the criticism Matthews garnered for comparing Bernie Sanders’ Nevada caucus win to the fall of France to Nazi Germany in 1940. “Obviously, he’s a Nazi,” Maher said with a roll of his eyes.
“Then he mistook [2020 Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from South Carolina] Jaime Harrison, who we’ve had on the show, for [current Republican South Carolina] Sen. Tim Scott. They’re both African Americans. He thought one was the other… so plainly he’s a klansman,” Maher said, shaking his head in disbelief.
The comedian also brought up an interview Matthews did with Sen. Elizabeth Warren in which he asked her if she believed Mike Bloomberg was the “kind of person” who would tell a pregnant employee “maybe you should kill him,” speaking of her unborn child.
“First of all, I got fired for doing what I do on a show called ‘Politically Incorrect.’ [Matthews’] show was called ‘Hardball’!” Maher emphasized.
Maher cited journalist Laura Bassett, who wrote a piece for GQ titled, “Like Warren, I Had My Own Sexist Run-In with Chris Matthews.” In the article, Bassett said Matthew told her, “Why haven’t I fallen in love with you yet?'”
“He said some things that are kind of creepy to women. Ya know, guys are married for a million years, they want to flirt for two seconds,” Maher went on.
“Yes, it is creepy, but she said, ‘I was afraid to name him at the time for fear of retaliation. I’m not afraid anymore,'” Maher said, adding sarcastically, “Thank you, Rosa Parks.”
“Chris did apologize for all of this. He said, ‘Ya know, the way I talk to women, it’s not right now and it wasn’t right then,’ which is gracious of him. But I find it such a cheap way to look enlightened that people do nowadays. ‘I’m not doing this thing that you did THEN.’ Yea, but if you were around then, you would have!”
Related stories from TheWrap:
Chris Matthews' 'Hardball' Ratings Won't Be So Hard for MSNBC to Replace
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Tessa Thompson Says Christian Bale Is Playing the Villain in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’
Looks like Tessa Thompson has broken Marvel’s code of omerta and has confirmed that Christian Bale will play the villain in the upcoming “Thor: Love and Thunder.”
“Christian Bale is going to play our villain, which is going to be fantastic,” Thompson told ET at the Season 3 premiere of “Westworld.” “I’ve read the script. I can’t tell you much. Lots of exciting text messages exchanged between Natalie and I. We’re going to have fun. Taika is writing [and] directing. Some familiar faces. Some new people coming into the mix.”
Thompson, who played Valkyrie in “Thor: Ragnarok” and last year’s “Avengers: Endgame,” also said that her character will now be known as King of New Asgard.
Also Read: Christian Bale in Talks to Join Marvel's 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
“She’s king,” Thompson added. “If she can’t find her queen, she’ll just be king and queen at the same time.”
Bale last wore superhero spandex in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy. The question of which villain Bale will play is anyone’s guess.
Taika Waititi will return to write and direct. The filmmaker directed the third film in the installment, “Thor: Ragnarok,” which was written by Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle and Christopher L. Yost. Waititi also portrayed Korg in “Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
“Thor: Ragnarok” grossed $854 million at the worldwide box office since its debut in November of 2017 and scored rave reviews from critics, achieving a 93% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as an “A” CinemaScore.
“Thor: Love and Thunder” will hit theaters Nov. 2021.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Thor: Love and Thunder' Enlists Jennifer Kaytin Robinson to Update Script
'Thor: Love and Thunder': Natalie Portman Rejoins 4th Film, Set for November 2021 Release
Twitter Closes Seattle Office Over Possible Coronavirus Infection
Twitter announced today it will close its Seattle office completely after an employee was told by their doctor “that they likely have” the coronavirus.
The Seattle-based employee is not a confirmed coronavirus case, but they are awaiting final testing.
“While the employee has not been at a Twitter office for several weeks & hasn’t been in contact with others – we’re closing our Seattle office to deep clean,” Twitter’s communication staff tweeted March 6.
A Seattle-based employee has been advised by their doctor that they likely have COVID-19, though still awaiting final testing. While the employee has not been at a Twitter office for several weeks & hasn't been in contact w/others – we’re closing our Seattle office to deep clean.
— Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) March 6, 2020
Also Read: SXSW 2020 Canceled After Austin Mayor Declares 'State of Emergency' Due to Coronavirus
Twitter did not note when the Seattle office would reopen. The San Francisco-based social media firm said it “contacted the appropriate health officials” and is “coordinating appropriately to protect everyone’s health and safety.”
Twitter began asking its employees March 2 to avoid coming into the office when possible. Chief Human Resources Officer Jennifer Christie said the company was directing its roughly 5,000 employees to work from home. “While this is a big change for us, we have already been moving towards a more distributed workforce that’s increasingly remote… We’re a global service and we’re committed to enabling anyone, anywhere to work at Twitter,” Christie stated.
Twitter is not the only big tech company with a potentially infected staff member. On Feb. 28, Google announced an employee at its Zurich office tested positive for the virus, but the company added that all its offices remain open.
Also Read: Big Tech Asks Employees to Work From Home Over Coronavirus Concerns
Earlier Friday, the city of Austin issued a state of emergency due to the virus, and the popular annual movie and music festival South By Southwest, which was set to take place March 13-20, was cancelled.
Related stories from TheWrap:
The Major Hollywood, Sports and Tech Events Canceled in Response to Coronavirus Concerns
Coronavirus Could Be Good for Gaming Business, Top Execs Say
Roscoe Born, Veteran Soap Actor and Star of ‘One Life to Live,’ Dies at 69
Roscoe Born, a veteran soap actor who appeared on “One Life to Live” and “Santa Barbara” has died at the age of 69.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Roscoe Born’s passing,” Born’s friend and business partner Deanna Lynne wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. “He was an incredibly talented actor and songwriter. Many who knew him know how dedicated he was to social and political causes. He will be missed forever.”
A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Also Read: James Lipton, 'Inside the Actors Studio' Host, Dies at 93
Born appeared on numerous daytime soaps and was a favorite among soap fans. Although he was best known for starring as arch-villain Mitch Laurence on ABC’s “One Life to Live” on multiple separate occasions between 1985 and the show’s cancellation in 2012, he also played a villain on CBS’s “The Young and the Restless” in 2005, and earned an Emmy nomination for his dual role on NBC’s “Santa Barbara” in 1990.
His other soap opera other credits included “All My Children,” “As the World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Passions,” “Ryan’s Hope,” “The City” and the short-lived primetime drama “Paper Dolls.”
Friends and colleagues have taken to Twitter to offer their sympathies:
We're saddened to hear the tragic news that soap legend Roscoe Born passed away today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ME78ojSIjC
— Daytime Emmys (@DaytimeEmmys) March 6, 2020
Roscoe Born was a talented and generous actor and a kind man to boot. He would often say that everything he did was for his daughter. My thoughts are with her and his family today. #RIP https://t.co/rY9ZANc1qW
— Greg Rikaart (@gregrikaart) March 6, 2020
Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Roscoe Born. He was an incredible actor and person who blessed #YR with his talents! https://t.co/VdakvrxoQz
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) March 6, 2020
Mitch Laurence as portrayed by Roscoe Born was one of my all-time favorite TV villains as a teenager watching One Life to Live. I was privileged to get to write for him, and while I eventually sent Mitch to hell, I sincerely hope Roscoe is in heaven… #oltl #RIPRoscoeBorn https://t.co/xUioEl7VbO
— Ron Carlivati (@carlivatiron) March 6, 2020
I can’t put into words how incredibly heart broken I am to hear of Roscoe Born’s passing. He was an incredible partner to work with and a master in his craft. I can say without a doubt that some of my favorite work on Oltl was with Roscoe. He will be greatly missed. ????
— Melissa Archer (@_MelissaArcher) March 6, 2020
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Wendell Goler, Former Fox News Senior White House Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Dies at 70
James Wan Developing Horror Monster Movie For Universal
Universal Pictures is developing an original horror/thriller inspired by Universal’s classic monster legacy with James Wan producing through his Atomic Monster banner.
Robbie Thompson (Netflix’s “Cursed”) is writing the script.
The story centers on a group of teens who discover that a neighbor is building a monster in his basement, which then goes on the loose.
Also Read: James Wan's 'Aquaman: King of Atlantis' Animated Miniseries Swims to HBO Max
Similar to what was just done with Blumhouse and Leigh Whannell’s “The Invisible Man,” which grossed $48.3 million globally on its opening weekend and marked the highest domestic opening for a horror title since last year’s “It Chapter Two,” instead of pushing forward with the initial notion of an interconnected universe, the studio halted, reassessed, and remains committed to creating filmmaker-driven projects instead based on characters from the studios vast monsters legacy.
Robbie Thompson is a co-executive producer on the upcoming Netflix series “Cursed,” the origin story of Lady of the Lake from the Arthurian legend, executive produced by Frank Miller and Thomas Wheeler. Robbie developed the original pilot “The Endless Night” for WGN, and also sold a pilot based on Stephen King’s “Firestarter” to TNT with UCP. Robbie also sold a feature pitch to Paramount that he co-wrote with Tom Wheeler, called “Vostok.” Platinum Dunes is producing with Michael Bay attached to direct. He was also a Co-EP on CW’s “Supernatural.” Thompson has also written a number of comics for Marvel working on such titles “Spider-Man/Deadpool,” “Silk,” “Doctor Strange,” and several “Star Wars” titles.
Atomic Monster is in post-production on “Malignant” for Starlight Media and Midas Innovation (directed by James Wan and slated for release from New Line on August 14, 2020); “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” also for New Line, starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson set for release on September 11, 2020; “There’s Someone Inside Your House” for Netflix; and “Mortal Kombat” for New Line (slated for release on January 15, 2021). In television, Atomic Monster is in production on the 4th season of “MacGyver” for CBS.
Wan is represented by CAA, Stacey Testro International and Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light LLP. Thompson is represented by Artists First Inc. and Sloan, Offer, Weber and Dern.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
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James Wan to Produce Adaptation of 'The Troop' With E L Katz Directing
Why ‘Divorce Court’ Divorced Itself From Judge Lynn Toler After 13 Years
A new version of syndicated daytime courtroom series “Divorce Court” has come to order. Judge Lynn Toler is out after 13 years behind the bench, and Judge Faith Jenkins is in.
While the split appears to be amicable (on social media, at least, where few things are ever amicable), “Divorce Court” needed to try anything and everything to divorce itself from its poor Nielsen ratings.
In the most recent week available of national-syndication ratings, the one ending on Feb. 23, 2020, “Divorce Court” tied for 71st place out of 104 shows, posting a weak 0.68 national household rating, according to Nielsen. That soft number is also exactly what “Divorce Court” is currently averaging season-to-date, so the lackluster weekly return is no anomaly. (“Divorce Court” ranks 68th out of 108 syndicated series.)
Also Read: Alex Karev's 'Grey's Anatomy' Goodbye Grows 18% in TV Ratings
For an incredibly dramatic comparison, “Judge Judy” scored a whopping 6.48 rating in the same week. Now, to be fair to “Divorce Court,” “Judge Judy” is not only the courtroom show leader, it is also the top-rated show in all of syndication. But again, it’s still the same genre as “Divorce Court,” so the split-screen look is a perfectly valid one.
“Judge Judy” more than tripled the rating of its closest court competition, “Hot Bench,” so while nothing is really breathing down Judy Sheindlin’s robe, Toler’s version is pretty far behind some of the other pretty-far-behind court shows.
Among the six nationally rated veteran courtroom shows in syndication, “Divorce Court” ranks fifth. It is behind “Judge Judy,” “Hot Bench” (2.11), “People’s Court” (1.42) and “Judge Mathis” (0.94), and just slightly ahead of “Personal Injury Court” (0.66).
Verdict: That’s not good. Time to swear in Judge Faith, who presided over her self-titled courtroom series until 2018. That show was not nationally rated.
Also Read: Nik Wallenda Survived 'Volcano Live' But ABC Didn't in Ratings Disaster
What is good are the vibes Toler sent out to both her replacement, Judge Faith, and to the long-running show’s faithful fans.
“I had 13 great years. It was time to move on,” Toler said Thursday in a video posted to her Instagram and Twitter. “They found a replacement, Judge Faith. She’s good looking, and she’s smart, and she’s capable, and I think she’ll take ‘Divorce Court’ to another level.”
“Give her a chance,” Toler, whose “Divorce Court” episodes are still being burned off, implored.
She then wished Jenkins all the best, ending on a pun: “I have ‘faith’ in you.”
In Thursday’s judge-swap announcement to the media by distributor Fox, Toler was thanked for her service, but she did not have a quote in the press release.
Also Read: 'Jersey Shore Family Vacation' Return Scores Big Ratings Bumps From Last Year's Premiere (Exclusive)
Watch Toler’s video here:
New things! pic.twitter.com/dRkJuwwgst
— Judge Lynn Toler (@RealJudgeLynn) March 5, 2020
Judge Faith Jenkins will first bang her gavel in “Divorce Court” this July.
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'The Masked Singer' Pushes Nik Wallenda's 'Volcano Live' Off a Tightrope in TV Ratings
Super Tuesday Is Not Very Super, Ratings-Wise, for Broadcast TV
Chris Matthews' 'Hardball' Ratings Won't Be So Hard for MSNBC to Replace
WGA and AMPTP Contract Talks to Begin March 23
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are expected to come to the negotiating table for contract talks beginning the week of March 23, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
The WGA East and West last negotiated contracts in March 2017, and they’ll be racing to complete a deal ahead of a May 1 contract expiration deadline, with the industry preparing for a possibility of work stoppages.
AMPTP declined to comment.
Also Read: Director's Guild of America Reports Increase in Female and Minority TV Directors
Last month, guild members approved demands that would be used in the discussions with the AMPTP, roping the producers into the conflict the WGA has with agencies over packaging fees, requiring that studios only negotiate with agencies who have reached an agreement with the Guild.
Other demands included on the list were an expansion of the types of streaming shows and movies subject to minimum pay, increase of that minimum pay, increase of contribution to the Guild’s health and pension funds, and stronger anti-discrimination protections to promote diverse hiring and pay equity.
This contract negotiation comes after the DGA and the AMPTP reached a tentative deal in talks that began Feb. 10 and concluded on Wednesday, Mar. 4. Details of that agreement will be released after it has been submitted to the Guild’s National Board for approval at a special board meeting scheduled for Saturday.
The new deal is the result of a lengthy negotiating process that has taken several weeks to complete and comes in the midst of a wave of new streamers being launched, from Disney+ to HBO Max and Peacock. With studios seeking new, original content to present exclusively on these services, the AMPTP’s talks with Hollywood guilds are expected to set new standards on compensation for cast and crew on these new digital projects.
The current contract between the DGA and AMPTP is set to expire on June 30.
Variety first reported the news of when negotiations would begin.
How Reporters Can Cover the Coronavirus Outbreak Responsibly, According to Richard Engel and Dr. Jennifer Ashton
President Donald Trump has blamed the media for hyping the coronavirus threat and shared his own “hunch” that it’s less dire than the news stories suggest, even as companies limit employee travel and events are cancelled nationally. What can the media do to cover the sickness responsibly and as accurately as possible, despite any mixed messages flying around? ABC News’ Dr. Jen Ashton and NBC News’ Richard Engel have some advice.
“Words matter, and acknowledging emotion matters,” Ashton, ABC News’ chief medical correspondent, told TheWrap. “In situations where there is concern and anxiety over personal health, information is usually absorbed better if people are more at ease when they hear it. Also, sometimes saying what we don’t know, is as or more important as saying what we do know. Both journalists and doctors generally like to share what is known; this is a story where much is unknown, and I think many people showed they were not comfortable with that.”
Also Read: Big Tech Asks Employees to Work From Home Over Coronavirus Concerns
Engel, NBC News’ chief foreign correspondent, who has been traveling the world to learn about the threat, has similar advice: “The important thing for journalists to do is convey the best information we can, put it into context, and avoid causing both panic and complacency. Don’t forget you are not a public health official. Don’t try to give out medical advice.”
Friday, from 9 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET, ABC News is airing a special two-hour edition of “20/20” titled, “Outbreak: What You Need to Know.” Sunday’s “On Assignment” airs at 10 p.m., also, and features Engel talking to doctors and researchers as well as touring a Singaporean lab studying bats to find a coronavirus cure. Other outlets, too, are hearing the calls for more information: Time launched a daily newsletter to help readers keep up with every new coronavirus development, for instance.
Also on Friday, NBC News’ is airing a special in-depth episode of “NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt: Separating Fact and Fear.” A majority of the half-hour show will be dedicated to reporting on the coronavirus and its global impact. The special airs at 6:30 p.m. ET.
So, what do you need to know?
“We don’t know how bad it will get,” said Engel. “Some of the top virologists I spoke to for NBC News in four different countries told me they know it is spreading. They know it’s contagious. They know it is not an ‘end of days’ event. But they don’t know how many people will be infected and they don’t know how many people will die. The overall mortality rate, according to the WHO, is 3.4%, but the number is somewhat misleading because the lethality of the disease depends a lot on who gets it, with older people with pre-existing health conditions up to 10 times more likely to be killed.”
Ashton advises the average person to “take this seriously” and implement “the same behaviors or practices that we know are important to lower the risk of getting sick with influenza or any other respiratory virus”: Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing. Stay home if you’re sick.
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Weinstein Should Get ‘Lengthy Prison Sentence,’ Manhattan D.A. Requests
The Manhattan district attorney has urged Justice James Burke to give Harvey Weinstein a “lengthy prison sentence” worthy of the offenses he has committed, which carry a sentence of up to 29 years in prison.
In a letter signed by Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon and sent to the judge on Friday, Illuzzi-Orbon outlined the findings of the D.A.’s office two-year investigation into Weinstein, which included 16 different accusations of sexual assault and harassment — dating back to 1978 — that Weinstein ultimately wasn’t charged for by the D.A.’s office, 17 different accusations of “abusive behavior in the workplace” and three other examples of “bad acts.”
“These acts, viewed in the totality, establish that throughout his entire adult professional life, defendant has displayed a staggering lack of empathy, treating others with disdain and inhumanity. He has consistently advanced his own sordid desires and fixations over the well-being of others. He has destroyed people’s lives and livelihoods or threatened to do so on whim. He has exhibited an attitude of superiority and complete lack of compassion for his fellow man,” Illuzzi-Orbon wrote. “What is obvious from this list of misdeeds is that many of them are frighteningly similar to the events testified to at trial.”
Also Read: Harvey Weinstein to Be Moved to Rikers After 10-Day Stay at Bellevue Hospital
Included in the findings of the D.A. office’s investigation was an account that, in 2005, Weinstein allegedly invited a 22-year-old woman he met at Cipriani to a screening at his office, then insisted that they go out to eat at a restaurant. But instead of being taken to a restaurant, the woman was brought to an apartment building in SoHo and that Weinstein “told her that if she wanted to act in movies, she had to be comfortable being naked and told her to take off her clothes,” Illuzzi-Orbon’s letter said. Weinstein then allegedly took her clothes, hid them, and then “demanded” that the woman “put her hand on his penis to get her clothes back,” and then “proceeded to masturbate and ejaculate onto her body.”
Other accounts in the letter include accusations of forcible sex, naked massage requests, groping, and unwanted kisses.
The letter argued that Weinstein has shown a “total lack of remorse for the harm he has caused.”
It added: “It is therefore totally appropriate in this case to communicate to a wider audience that sexual assault, even if perpetrated upon an acquaintance or in a professional setting, is a serious offense worthy of a lengthy prison sentence.”
Also Read: How Harvey Weinstein's Guilty Verdict Could Shape the Future of #MeToo Cases
A spokesperson for Weinstein did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Weinstein, who was found guilty of rape and a forcible sexual act last week, is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom next Wednesday for his sentencing. He faces up to 29 years in prison.
View the letter below:
Weinstein Sentencing Letter by Sharon Waxman on Scribd
Related stories from TheWrap:
Harvey Weinstein to Be Moved to Rikers After 10-Day Stay at Bellevue Hospital
What Harvey Weinstein's Guilty Verdict Means for the Upcoming Criminal Case in LA
How Harvey Weinstein's Guilty Verdict Could Shape the Future of #MeToo Cases
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