Harvey 3

Source: Wiki Commons

Harvey Weinstein

An article published in The New Yorker has alleged that Harvey Weinstein raped three women, including actress Asia Argento.

The report written by Ronan Farrow states: “Three women - among them Argento and a former aspiring actress named Lucia Evans - told me that Weinstein raped them, allegations that include Weinstein forcibly performing or receiving oral sex and forcing vaginal sex.”

A spokesperson for Weinstein issued a statement denying the allegations: “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. Mr. Weinstein obviously can’t speak to anonymous allegations, but with respect to any women who have made allegations on the record, Mr. Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual. Mr. Weinstein has begun counseling, has listened to the community and is pursuing a better path. Mr. Weinstein is hoping that, if he makes enough progress, he will be given a second chance.”

The New Yorker article also includes an audio recording captured during a 2015 police sting operation that reportedly sees Weinstein propositioning a model named Ambra Battilana Gutierrez.

In the report, four further women said that they experienced “unwanted touching that could be classified as an assault”.

Actors Mira Sorvino and Rosanna Arquette also accuse Weinstein of alleged sexual harassment.

Harvey Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Company on Sunday (8 Oct) following allegations of sexual harassment that were first reported by the New York Times. The new allegations are potentially even more damaging for the mogul.

Read more: Harvey Weinstein pleaded with media titans before board firing