A Timeline of the Harvey Weinstein Allegations and Aftermath So Far
Oct 12, 2017
A lot has happened since news first broke of several sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood film executive Harvey Weinstein. New accusations, updates to legal proceedings, job terminations, and more developments continue to dominate headlines every day, so here’s a rundown of what has taken place so far.
October 5:
- The New York Times publishes an investigative story alleging decades of sexual harassment by Weinstein against women in the film industry. The story includes Ashley Judd and another unnamed woman speaking about their experiences, and also says Weinstein previously reached a settlement with Rose McGowan over a separate alleged incident at the Sundance Film Festival. McGowan, who did not comment for the article, immediately becomes one of the leading voices on Twitter about the story.
- Weinstein responds to the NYT story in a statement apologizing for his alleged actions and saying he’s “trying to do better.”
- Weinstein’s lawyer announces his client’s plan to sue the NYT, with Weinstein calling the story “reckless reporting.”
October 7:
- Lisa Bloom, a lawyer who was acting as a “tutor,” per Weinstein, on “gender and power dynamics,” announces via Twitter that she has resigned as an adviser to Weinstein.
October 8:
- The Weinstein Company fires Weinstein as CEO.
- The Wrap publishes a story by its founder and former NYT reporter Sharon Waxman, claiming a Weinstein-related article was in the works for the Times as early as 2004 but was scrapped under pressure from the mogul. Matt Damon and Russell Crowe are named as people involved in the alleged scrapping of the story. In a response, the Times‘ executive editor says the top editors at the time have no recollection of being pressured to kill the story. Additionally, a spokesperson for the paper tells Politico that “no one currently at the Times has knowledge of editorial decisions made on that story. But in general the only reason a story or specific information would be held is if it did not meet our standards for publication.”
October 9:
- High-profile celebrities, many of whom have had business relationships with Weinstein, begin responding in droves, denouncing Weinstein’s alleged actions. George Clooney, Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Meryl Streep, and even Hillary Clinton and Barack and Michelle Obama are just a few of the many to speak out.
October 10:
- Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, two of the most powerful women in Hollywood, come forward with new sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein.
- The New Yorker releases its own investigative story on Weinstein, in which 13 women, including Italian actor and director Asia Argento, allege various instances of sexual assault and harassment against him. Sallie Hofmeister, a spokesperson for Weinstein, issues a statement saying he “unequivocally” denies “any allegations of non-consensual sex,” and that “there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances.” The statement also says he “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.”
- Weinstein’s wife, Georgina Chapman, announces she is leaving her husband. “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions,” she says in a statement. “I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”
- Rose McGowan continues to be the “voice of the Weinstein resistance,” calling Ben Affleck a liar on Twitter after he denounces Weinstein’s alleged behavior.
- Fashion designer Donna Karan faces major backlash for defending Weinstein. She later issues a statement saying her remarks were “taken out of context” and don’t represent her true feelings: “I believe that sexual harassment is NOT acceptable and this is an issue that MUST be addressed once and for all regardless of the individual. I am truly sorry to anyone that I offended and everyone that has ever been a victim.”
October 11:
- Weinstein responds to his wife’s decision to separate. “Over the last week, there has been a lot of pain for my family that I take responsibility for,” he says in a statement. “I sat down with my wife Georgina, who I love more than anything, and we discussed what was best for our family. We discussed the possibility of a separation and I encouraged her to do what was in her heart. In the end, she made the decision to separate. I understand, I love her and I love our children and hopefully, when I am better, I will be in their lives again. I support her decision, I am in counseling and perhaps, when I am better, we can rebuild.”
- Cara Delevingne alleges via Instagram that Weinstein not only made advances toward her, but told her that if she ever came out she would “never get the role of a straight woman or make it as an actress in Hollywood.”
- Lindsay Lohan defends Weinstein in two now-deleted Instagram videos, saying she feels very bad for him and that his wife should stand by him. Amid backlash, she later tries to clarify that she meant Weinstein’s accusers should speak to the authorities, not to the media.
- Hillary Clinton announces that she will donate any campaign contributions she received from Weinstein to charity.
- Rose McGowan’s Twitter account is suspended. Her followers and fellow celebs demand an explanation on her behalf. Twitter later says that her account was temporarily locked because of a tweet including a private phone number, which violates their rules.
October 12:
- Kate Beckinsale joins the list of Weinstein’s accusers by writing an Instagram post detailing an alleged encounter with the producer when she was just 17.
- The Associated Press reports that the NYPD is looking into sexual assault allegations against Weinstein. A police spokesperson said investigators are reviewing files to look for possible past complaints and the department is encouraging people with information to come forward. Another law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said detectives also plan to contact the women who spoke about their experiences in the New Yorker article.