Weinstein drew up ‘red flag list’ of women, rape trial told
Harvey Weinstein told a private investigator to approach women he suspected were detailing sexual misconduct allegations against him to journalists, his rape trial was told Friday.
Two months before the #MeToo movement ignited in late 2017, the then Hollywood titan emailed a “red flag list” of people he wanted investigated, prosecutors and a witness said in the high-profile proceedings which began hearing testimony this week.
The list included dozens of names, some of which were highlighted in red to indicate individuals that the now-disgraced movie producer was most concerned about.
They included the actress Rose McGowan, who Weinstein claimed was trying to extort him, and “The Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra, who accused him of rape in graphic testimony on Thursday.
Weinstein, 67, faces life imprisonment if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges related to two women.
He is accused of raping actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and of forcibly performing oral sex on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi.
More than 80 women, including Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, have since accused him of sexual misconduct.
Early Friday, the prosecution called forensic psychiatrist Barbara Ziv to dispel several “myths” surrounding rape.
Ziv, who testified when comedian Bill Cosby was convicted of sexual assault, said victims of sexual assault commonly remain in contact with their attacker for years after the incident.
“That contact can range from text messages to emails to continuing a relationship with them,” she said.
The psychiatrist said victims often keep quiet because they possess some sort of affection for the abuser or because the perpetrator may also have the power to wreck their job and other relationships.
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