Mira Sorvino said she is “heartsick” after learning she may have lost out on major roles because of Harvey Weinstein.
According to Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, both Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd were “blacklisted” following conversations with Harvey Weinstein’s company.
Both actresses have claimed Harvey Weinstein harassed them.
Harvey Weinstein has denied allegations of misconduct, and of blacklisting the actresses.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy was initially in development with Weinstein’s Miramax company, before being passed to New Line Cinema.
In an interview with Stuff.co.nz this week, Peter Jackson said he was interested in casting both women in the blockbuster franchise.
He told the website: “I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998.
“At the time, we had no reason to question what these guys were telling us.
“I now suspect we were fed false information about both of these talented women – and as a direct result their names were removed from our casting list.”
“In hindsight, I realize that this was very likely the Miramax smear campaign in full swing,” he said.
Mira Sorvino tweeted: “Just seeing this after I awoke, I burst out crying.”
“There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure. Thank you Peter Jackson for being honest. I’m just heartsick.”
Ashley Judd, meanwhile, recalled how her involvement progressed far enough to be invited by Jackson to see preparation work for the blockbuster trilogy.
She tweeted: “I remember this well.
“They asked which if the two roles I preferred, and then I abruptly never heard from them again. I appreciate the truth coming out.”
In a statement through a publicist, Harvey Weinstein denied the allegations that he was involved in blacklisting Mira Sorvino and Ashely Judd, saying that the casting for Lord of the Rings was carried out by New Line Cinema – not Miramax.
The statement said that Ashley Judd was cast in two other movies by Harvey Weinstein, and that “Sorvino was always considered for other films as well.”
Harvey Weinstein’s denial prompted Peter Jackson to write a further response, carried by Entertainment Weekly, calling it a “deflection from the truth”.
“In the 18 months we developed the Lord of the Rings at Miramax, we had many casting conversations with Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and their executives,” the director wrote.
“The movies changed hands from Miramax to New Line before casting actually got underway – but because we had been warned off Ashley and Mira by Miramax, and we were naive enough to assume we’d been told the truth, [we] did not raise their names in New Line casting conversations.”
Harvey Weinstein is the central figure of the Hollywood harassment scandal, in which dozens of actresses have accused him of misconduct.
Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd were among the first women to publicly share her experiences of harassment from Harvey Weinstein back in October.
Harvey Weinstein has “unequivocally denied” any allegations of non-consensual acts.
Kentucky House Republican Dan Johnson, who defiantly denied allegations that he assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, died in an apparent suicide on December 13, the county coroner said.
According to Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings, Dan Johnson, 57, died of a single gunshot wound on Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington, Kentucky.
Dave Billings said Dan Johnson stopped his car at the end of a bridge in a secluded area, then got out and walked to the front of the car. He said an autopsy is scheduled for December 14.
“I would say it is probably suicide,” he said.
Dan Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years. He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after local media reported on some of his Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys.
Image source Fox News
The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Dan Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools.
He was mostly out of the spotlight until December 11, when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying the pastor assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.
At the time, the woman told police, who investigated the incident but closed the case and did not file charges.
On December 12, Dan Johnson held a news conference in the pulpit of his church, which he began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol O Come All Ye Faithful. The lawmaker said the allegations against him were “totally false” and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces assault accusations from multiple women.
On December 13, shortly before 5PM, Dan Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page that asked people to care for his wife. He wrote that PTSD “is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.” The post appears to have been removed.
Arizona Representative Trent Franks has resigned amid an ethics investigation into claims he repeatedly asked female staff to be surrogate mothers.
The announcement came after a congressional panel said it was opening an inquiry into harassment allegations against Republican Trent Franks.
Trent Franks, 60, acknowledged discussing surrogacy with two female aides when he and his wife were facing infertility.
He is the third member of Congress to resign in three days.
One of Trent Franks’ former aides accuses him of offering her $5 million to act as a surrogate mother, repeatedly pressing her to carry his child, the Associated Press reports.
The woman told the AP that another female staff member had also been approached by the congressman about surrogacy.
One of the aides reportedly said Trent Franks retaliated against her after she turned down his alleged surrogacy requests by ignoring her and withholding assignments.
A spokesman for the eight-term congressman – who has a net worth of $33 million – would not comment on whether he had offered aides money to act as surrogates.
Trent Franks said on December 7 his resignation would take effect next month.
However, on December 8 he said he had decided to quit immediately after his wife was admitted to a Washington hospital “due to an ongoing ailment”.
The Republican acknowledged “my discussion of surrogacy with two previous female subordinates, making each feel uncomfortable.
“I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress.”
Trent Franks said he and his wife, Josephine, had used a surrogate to carry their two twins.
He stood down as the House of Representatives ethics committee opened an inquiry against him into a matter that constitutes harassment.
Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said he had advised the congressman to stand down.
The ethics committee also announced on December 8 it was investigating Texas Republican Blake Farenthold amid claims of harassment against him by a former member of staff.
It was revealed last week that Blake Farenthold used $84,000 of taxpayer money to settle a harassment lawsuit with his former communications director.
Resignations of two Democratic lawmakers have shaken Washington this week.
Democratic congressman John Conyers announced on December 5 that he will step down after multiple aides accused him of harassment.
Hours before Trent Franks’ announcement, Minnesota Democratic Senator Al Franken said he too was resigning over claims of groping after several Democrats called on him to step down.
Ari Behn, the former son-in-law of King Harald V of Norway, has accused Kevin Spacey of groping him after a Nobel Peace Prize concert.
The Norwegian author, who was married to King Harald’s daughter Martha Louise until 2016, told radio station P4 that it happened after Kevin Spacey had hosted the event in 2007.
“I am a generous person, but this was a bit more than I had in mind,” he said.
Kevin Spacey has been accused of abuse and harassment by a string of men and has been written out of House of Cards.
A spokesman for the Hollywood star said last month that he was “taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment” in the wake of the allegations.
Recalling the alleged incident, Ari Behn said: “We had a great talk, he sat right beside me.
“After five minutes he said, <<hey, let’s go out and have a cigarette>>. Then he puts his hand under the table and grabs me by the b**ls.”
Ari Behn said he put Kevin Spacey off by telling him: “Er, maybe later.”
He added: “My hair was dark at the time, I was 10 years younger and right up his alley.”
Last month, the Old Vic theatre in London said it had received 20 personal testimonies of alleged inappropriate behavior by Kevin Spacey while he was artistic director there.
The actor and producer has faced other allegations too, with the claims leaving his career in ruins.
He has been removed from the sixth season of House of Cards, which will instead focus on his on-screen wife, played by Robin Wright.
Kevin Spacey has also been replaced by Christopher Plummer in the new Ridley Scott movie All the Money in the World.
Cesar Sanchez-Guzman is seeking compensation for damages including “emotional distress, mental anguish, physical and mental pain and suffering, a decrease in his ability to enjoy life” as well as past and future medical expenses and legal costs.
Bryan Singer’s representative said: “Cesar Sanchez-Guzman apparently claims that he did not remember this alleged incident from 2003 until now.”
He added: “Bryan categorically denies these allegations and will vehemently defend this lawsuit to the very end.”
The representative said that, “once Bryan prevails”, he will pursue claims for malicious prosecution.
Bohemian Rhapsody production was suspended last week so Bryan Singer could deal with what his representative described as “a personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family”.
Days later, it emerged that Bryan Singer had been fired by Twentieth Century Fox for “unreliable behavior”, and has been replaced by Dexter Fletcher.
Senator Al Franken has said he is planning to quit “in the coming weeks” after string of harassment allegations.
He said from the Senate floor: “I am proud that during my time in the Senate that I have used my power to be a champion of women.”
The Minnesota Democratic senator’s speech came a day after nearly 30 Democrats called on him to resign.
Al Franken would be the most prominent lawmaker to resign amid a wave of misconduct claims against high-profile figures.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Ethics Committee launched harassment investigations into two Republican congressmen.
Trent Franks of Arizona announced he was resigning as the inquiry was announced.
The congressman acknowledged having made two female congressional aides “uncomfortable” by asking them about surrogacy when he and his wife faced infertility.
The committee also said it would investigate Blake Farenthold, who used $84,000 of taxpayers’ money to settle a harassment lawsuit with his former spokeswoman.
Over in the Senate, Al Franken told his colleagues on December 7: “Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.
“I may be resigning my seat but I am not giving up my voice.”
The former Saturday Night Live comic and two-term senator has apologized to several women who have accused him of groping and harassment, but he faced mounting pressure to step aside after a new allegation surfaced on December 6.
Al Franken said some of the claims against him “are simply are not true”, but added that women “deserve to be heard and their experiences taken seriously”.
The senator also referenced the harassment allegations that have been leveled against President Donald Trump and Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
“I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party.”
Al Franken is not the only politician to have found himself engulfed by harassment in recent weeks.
On December 5, Michigan Democrat John Conyers announced he would resign amid claims of harassment made by his congressional aides.
Seven women have come forward to accuse Roy Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court judge, of inappropriate behavior decades ago.
Several Democratic female senators – including some who called for Al Franken’s resignation a day earlier – hugged the lawmaker after his speech.
Senator Bernie Sanders echoed Al Franken’s criticisms of President Donald Trump on Twitter.
He tweeted: “We have a president who acknowledged on tape that he assaulted women. I would hope that he pays attention to what’s going on and think about resigning.”
Fellow Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar thanked Al Franken on Facebook, calling him a “friend to me and many in our state”.
The decision to fill the vacancy left by Al Franken will fall to Democratic Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, who said in a statement he has not determined who will replace him.
Metropolitan Opera has opened an investigation into allegations of abuse against the conductor James Levine.
James Levine, 74, was music director at the Met for 40 years before retiring for health reasons in 2016.
According to the New York Times, the claims were based on a 2016 police report in which a man accused James Levine of abusing him as a teenager in the 1980s.
The newspaper said the Met had been aware of the report since 2016.
However, James Levine had denied the accusations and the Met had heard nothing further from police, the Times added.
The accusations follow a series of abuse and harassment claims made against high-profile figures in the entertainment industry.
In a tweet, the Met said it was “deeply disturbed” by the claims published online and was investigating “with outside resources” in order to take appropriate action.
An Illinois police report, seen by the New York Times, said the alleged victim claimed that the abuse began in 1985 when he was 15 and James Levine was 41, and continued until 1993.
James Levine has not commented publicly on the accusations.
During his career he conducted more than 2,500 performances at the Met.
James Levine made his debut there in June 1971 with Puccini’s Tosca, becoming principal conductor in the 1973-1974 season and music director in 1976-1977.
He conducted 85 different operas and also worked with the Three Tenors – Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo.
Towards the end of his career, James Levine struggled with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues and conducted from a motorized wheelchair.
NBC’s TheToday Show host Matt Lauer has been fired by the network over an allegation of inappropriate behavior.
NBC said: “On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate s**ual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer.
“As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.”
Matt Lauer co-hosts The Today Show. NBC said it had “reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident”.
NBC News chairman Andy Lack said while it was the first complaint about Matt Lauer’s behavior in his time there, more than 20 years, it represented a “clear violation of our company’s standards”.
In 2016, Matt Lauer signed a new contract with the network worth a reported $20 million per year.
As well as fronting the morning show, he was chosen to moderate an election debate between Donald Trump and rival Hillary Clinton.
Matt Lauer has conducted high-profile interviews, such as the one in which Charlie Sheen confirmed he is living with HIV in 2015.
In an emotional interview, Today co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb said they were “heartbroken”.
“As I’m sure you can imagine we are devastated and are still processing all of this,” Savannah Guthrie said.
“I’m heartbroken for Matt – he is my dear, dear friend and my partner and he has been loved by many people here.
“And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”
Savannah Guthrie added: “This reckoning that so many organizations have been going through is important, it’s long overdue and it must result in workplaces where all women – all people – feel safe and respected.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump commented on Twitter: “Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate s**ual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!”
Matt Lauer’s departure comes two weeks after NBC executive Matt Zimmerman, who was reported to have worked closely with Lauer, was fired after allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Last week, CBS fired Charlie Rose, one of its leading anchors, amid allegations of assault. In April, Fox News fired its best-known presenter, Bill O’Reilly.
Veteran congressman John Conyers says he is stepping aside as top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee while harassment allegations are investigated.
The Michigan Democrat again denied the accusations, but said he was stepping down to clear his name.
A staff member alleges she was fired for refusing to “succumb to advances” from John Conyers.
A prominent civil rights leader, John Conyers first joined Congress in 1965.
The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into allegations of harassment and age discrimination involving staff.
On November 26, John Conyers, now 88, tweeted that he would like to remain as ranking member on the judiciary committee, but that he could not “in good conscience” allow the charges to “undermine” House colleagues.
On November 21, it was reported that he had paid $27,000 in 2015 in exchange for the confidentiality of a former staff member who alleged she was fired for rejecting advances.
According to signed legal documents seen by Buzzfeed, John Conyers was also accused of repeatedly making advances and inappropriately touching other female employees.
However, he said that many of the allegations “were raised by documents reportedly paid for by a partisan alt-right blogger”.
Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, said it was imperative that John Conyers received “due process”.
She called him “an icon” who had advanced women’s causes.
However, Nancy Pelosi tweeted in reference to John Conyers: “Zero tolerance means consequences… No matter how great an individual’s legacy, it is not a license for harassment.”
John Conyers is the last member of Congress to have been in office under President Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s.
Republican house speaker Paul Ryan has called the allegations “extremely troubling”.
He recently announced that all lawmakers and staff members must undergo anti-harassment training.
Writing on Instagram, Uma Thurman said she had “a few reasons” to be angry.
She added: “#metoo in case you couldn’t tell by the look on my face.”
The hashtag has been used by women to share stories of harassment and assault.
She also said: “I feel it’s important to take your time, be fair, be exact.
“Stay tuned.”
In an earlier interview, Uma Thurman said it was commendable that women were speaking out about harassment and assault.
“I have learned, I am not a child and I have learned that… when I’ve spoken in anger, I usually regret the way I express myself,” she said.
“So I’ve been waiting to feel less angry. And when I’m ready, I’ll say what I have to say.”
Uma Thurman has appeared in a number of movies that were produced by Harvey Weinstein, including Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.
Dozens of actresses, including Asia Argento, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rose McGowan and Cara Delevingne have accused Harvey Weinstein of harassment or assault.
Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys has said he is “shocked and saddened” to be accused of rape by former pop singer Melissa Schuman.
In a blog post published earlier this month, Melissa Schuman claimed Nick Carter forced her into an act against her will and raped her 15 years ago, when she was 18.
Melissa Schuman alleged: “He was relentless, refusing to take my nos for an answer.”
In a statement, Nick Carter said Melissa Schuman had “never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual”.
The musician went on: “It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm.”
The accusations are the latest in a slew of claims to be made against leading figures in the movie, music and broadcasting industries.
In a lengthy post, Melissa Schuman says she was invited to Nick Carter’s apartment while they were shooting a made-for-TV movie in 2003.
Melissa Schuman, then 18 and a member of girl group Dream, claims she was “forced to engage in an act against [her] will” before being thrown onto a bed and raped.
Nick Carter and Melissa Schuman subsequently recorded a duet and performed together, which Carter said was evidence that he “was always respectful and supportive… both personally and professionally”.
Melissa Schuman said she had decided to come forward after reading a report last month that claimed Nick Carter was investigated for assault against a 20-year-old fan in 2006.
No charges were brought against the singer, whose band – best known for such 90s hits as I Want It That Way and Everybody – currently has a residency in Las Vegas.
Former USA Olympic gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar has pleaded guilty to seven charges of assault against women and girls in his care.
Larry Nassar was charged with molesting seven girls, many of whom are gymnasts, while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.
As part of the plea deal, the 54-year-old could face at least 25 years in prison.
The hearing comes after a third former US Olympian, Gabby Douglas, accused him of abuse.
In a statement to the court on November 22, Larry Nassar said he was pleading guilty to “move the community forward and stop the hurting”.
He said: “I’m so sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire, out of control.
“I want them to heal. I want this community to heal. I have no animosity toward any one. I just want healing. It’s time.”
Ingham County Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said, noting that abuse is a nationwide “epidemic”: “You used that position of trust that you had in the most vile way – to abuse children.
“You violated the oath that you took, which is to do no harm, and you harmed them. Selfishly.”
Many of Larry Nassar’s accusers testified that they were abused while he was examining the young athletes, and sometimes while their parents were nearby.
He has been accused of abusing more than 130 women – including Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney – during his time as team doctor for the US women’s gymnastics team.
Gabby Douglas, who was one of the so-called Fierce Five that won gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012, revealed her accusation on Instagram.
The Olympic gymnast wrote: “I didn’t publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and some things were extremely painful.”
During the hearing Aly Raisman, a member of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams, tweeted that she was “disgusted” that Larry Nassar, who lost his license, was referred to as a doctor.
Larry Nassar’s case was part of a scandal which saw USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resign in 2016. Steve Penny was accused by victims of failing to quickly notify authorities about abuse allegations.
In a statement after the plea deal was announced, USA Gymnastics – the organization which determines the US Olympic team – said it is “very sorry that any athlete was harmed” by Larry Nassar.
They added that it was “important” that he acknowledged “his appalling and devious conduct” in court and said the deal “permits punishment without further victimization of survivors”.
Larry Nassar has already pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child abusing in federal court and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The former doctor is due to be sentenced on January 12.
Charlie Rose is one of America’s most respected broadcasters.
He is known for conducting in-depth interviews, including with such high-profile guests as former President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett, on his eponymous television program which first aired in 1991.
Charlie Rose, whose show goes out on PBS and Bloomberg TV, also co-hosts CBS’s This Morning and is a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes.
His interviews have won him Emmy and Peabody awards, and he was named by Time magazine as one of its 100 most influential people in 2014.
PBS quickly suspended distribution of the Charlie Rose show following the allegations, which they described as “deeply disturbing”.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Charlie Rose said: “I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed.
“I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken.”
Numerous high-profile figures, including Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman and Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein have been accused of harassment in recent weeks.
The accusations were sparked by multiple women speaking out against Harvey Weinstein, and a subsequent campaign encouraging victims to share their stories of harassment under the #metoo hashtag.
Minnesota Senator Al Franken has responded to Leeann Tweeden’s allegations that he groped her as she slept and “forcibly” kissed her in a rehearsal for a comedy skit.
Leeann Tweeden, a radio host, says the two incidents happened in December 2006 on a tour to entertain US troops overseas, before Al Franken entered politics.
She wrote that the former comic “aggressively” kissed her while saying they had to rehearse a scene.
Al Franken, a former Saturday Night Live writer, apologized for the grope.
However, the Democrat said he has a different recollection of the other incident.
Al Franken: “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” he said in a statement.
“As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.”
He issued a second, longer statement less than two hours later after a ferocious backlash from critics who accused him of a non-apology and demanded his resignation.
In an article for KABC, a Los Angeles radio station where Leeann Tweeden now works, she recalled feeling victimized by Al Franken during her ninth USO tour of the Middle East.
“When I saw the script, Franken had written a moment when his character comes climbing at me for a <<kiss>>,” she said.
“I suspected what he was after, but I figured I could turn my head at the last minute, or put my hand over his mouth, to get more laughs from the crowd.”
On the day of the performance in Kuwait, Leeann Tweeden said he was insistent they rehearse the skit.
When the moment came he “put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth”.
“You knew exactly what you were doing,” Leeann Tweeden wrote.
“You forcibly kissed me without my consent, grabbed my breasts while I was sleeping and had someone take a photo of you doing it, knowing I would see it later, and be ashamed.”
Later at a press conference in Los Angeles, Leeann Tweeden went into further detail about how “he stuck his tongue in my mouth so fast”.
“And all I can remember is that his lips were really wet and slimy,” she said.
“In my mind I called him <<fish lips>> the rest of the trip.”
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the Senate, promptly called for the chamber’s Ethics Committee to investigate Al Franken.
The Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell echoed the call for an ethics investigation.
Al Franken said he would “gladly cooperate”.
In his second statement, he said: “I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t.
“And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”
Of the photo, he added: “I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn’t funny. It’s completely inappropriate.
“It’s obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture.”
However, he still begged to differ on her portrayal of him forcing his tongue down her mouth.
“While I don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences.”
As a senator for Minnesota, Al Franken has cultivated an image for himself as a vocal champion of women’s issues, from assault to abortion rights and equal pay.
Leeann Tweeden said she was inspired to come forward more than a decade later after California congresswoman Jackie Speier was interviewed on her morning radio program.
Jackie Speier told about being assaulted as a young congressional aide in Washington.
London’s Old Vic theater says it has received 20 personal testimonies of alleged inappropriate behavior by Kevin Spacey, who was its artistic director between 2004 and 2015.
Those affected said they “felt unable to raise concerns”, and the double Oscar winner “operated without sufficient accountability”.
The theatre said it “truly apologizes” for not creating a culture where people felt able to speak freely.
The Old Vic’s announcement follows recent allegations of harassment and predatory behavior made against Kevin Spacey while at the theatre.
Kevin Spacey has not responded to them.
His behavior was alleged to have ranged from making people feel uncomfortable to inappropriate behavior, the Old Vic investigation found.
No-one alleged rape but three people told the Old Vic they had contacted the police, while 14 of the 20 complainants were told by the investigators that they should consider going to the police.
There were 20 individual allegations and 16 were former staff, all of whom were men.
According to Lewis Silkin – the external law firm engaged by the theatre to conduct the investigation – more than half the allegations were said to have taken place inside the Old Vic.
The investigation also found there was not widespread knowledge of Kevin Spacey’s alleged behavior within the organization, the law firm said.
With the exception of one of the claims, none of the reported incidents were raised formally or informally with management.
Kevin Spacey was invited to participate in the investigation but the Old Vic said he did not respond.
The investigation is continuing so more people can come forward.
Current artistic director Matthew Warchus said he had “genuine and deep sympathy for all those who have come forward”.
He added: “Everyone is entitled to work in an environment free from harassment and intimidation.
“The Old Vic is now actively engaged in the process of healing and the process of prevention.”
Matthew Warchus described the allegations as “a shock and a disturbing surprise to many of us”.
“It is incorrect, unfair and irresponsible to say that everybody knew.
“But as a result of the investigation, what we have learnt is how better to call out this behavior in future.”
He said the findings would help “our industry as a whole, as together we rapidly evolve an intelligent new standard of protection and support in and around the workplace”.
The Old Vic’s executive director Kate Varah added that they did not want to “just rush out a statement”, saying: “We have not slept since this came out because we have been doing it in a robust, careful way.”
Kevin Spacey said on November 2 he was seeking treatment, in the wake of the allegations. However, there is no information about what kind of treatment the actor is seeking.
A George H.W. Bush spokesman has previously acknowledged the former president has touched several women on the rear.
Rosyln Corrigan said the incident occurred as George H.W. Bush was posing for a photo with her and her mother at the CIA office in The Woodlands, Texas, in November 2003.
“As soon as the picture was being snapped on the one-two-three he dropped his hands from my waist down to my buttocks and gave it a nice, ripe squeeze, which would account for the fact that in the photograph my mouth is hanging wide open,” she said.
The former president was 79-year-old at the time.
Last month, after several other women came forward with similar stories, George H.W. Bush’s spokesman said that due to the former president’s use of a wheel chair, “his arms fall on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures”.
The man, aged 23 at the time, is said to have run from the property after Kevin Spacey allegedly said: “Don’t tell anyone about this.”
A police spokesman said it had no record of any arrests having been made in connection with the investigation and police declined to comment on The Sun‘s report, which says the complainant had been interviewed by police.
It comes after a number of allegations, including CNN reporting that Kevin Spacey made the set of Netflix’s House of Cards into a “toxic” work environment through a pattern of harassment.
The CNN report said allegations were made by eight people who currently work on the show, or worked on it in the past, with one former employee alleging Kevin Spacey assaulted him.
House of Cards production has been suspended on October 31 following allegations by Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp, who claimed Kevin Spacey tried to “seduce” him when he was 14.
Kevin Spacey said he was “beyond horrified” to hear of the incident, which he does not remember.
Meanwhile, director Tony Montana also claimed he was groped by Kevin Spacey in a Los Angeles bar in 2003.
Tony Montana said he was left with PTSD for six months after the incident.
Incidents regarding the Oscar-winning actor are also alleged to have taken place in the UK while he was the artistic director at the Old Vic in London between 2004 and 2015.
Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos, who acted in several plays at the theater, claimed Kevin Spacey “routinely preyed” on young male actors.
Earlier this week, the Old Vic set up a confidential complaints process for anyone connected to the theatre to come forward.
The Old Vic said in a statement: “We aim to foster a safe and supportive environment without prejudice, harassment or bullying of any sort, at any level.”
Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman, director Brett Ratner and NPR senior editor Michael Oreskes the latest high-profile figures to be accused of harassment.
Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman have been accused of misconduct and have issued apologies.
Meanwhile, six women have accused Brett Ratner, director of the Rush Hour movie series and X-Men: The Last Stand, of harassment or misconduct.
Brett Ratner’s lawyer “categorically” denied all of the accusations on his behalf.
A representative for Kevin Spacey released a short statement to the media, saying the actor “is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment. No other information is available at this time”.
A growing number of allegations have been made against public figures in recent weeks.
The allegations have been sparked by multiple women speaking out against the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, and a subsequent campaign encouraging victims to share their stories of harassment under the #metoo hashtag.
New allegations have emerged from a number of men accusing Kevin Spacey of misconduct.
Director Tony Montana claims he was groped by Kevin Spacey in a Los Angeles bar in 2003. He says he was left with PTSD for six months after the incident.
Tony Montana told Radar Online that he was in his thirties when the incident took place at the Coronet Bar in LA.
It follows an allegation made by Anthony Rapp that Kevin Spacey tried to “seduce” him when he was 14 years old.
Kevin Spacey says he has no recollection of that encounter, and was “beyond horrified”.
Incidents regarding Kevin Spacey are also alleged to have taken place in the UK while the Oscar-winning actor was the artistic director at the Old Vic in London between 2004 and 2015.
Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos, who acted in several plays at the theater, claims Kevin Spacey “routinely preyed” on young male actors.
Six women have accused Director Brett Ratner of harassment or misconduct.
The women, including The Newsroom actress Olivia Munn, made the allegations in the Los Angeles Times.
Natasha Henstridge, who appeared in Species and The Whole Ten Yards, claimed she had been forced into an act with Brett Ratner as a teenager.
The actress, now 43, was a 19-year-old model at the time she alleges Brett Ratner stopped her from leaving a room at his New York apartment and then made her perform an act on him.
“He strong-armed me in a real way,” Natasha Henstridge told the LA Times.
“He physically forced himself onto me.”
Brett Ratner’s lawyer “categorically” denied all of the accusations on his behalf in response to the article.
Separately, the director filed a libel case in Hawaii against a woman who accused him on Facebook of rape more than 10 years ago.
Brett Ratner says he has stepped away from dealings with movie studio Warner Bros since the allegations came to light.
Meanwhile, Dustin Hoffman has been accused of harassing an intern on the set of one of his movies in 1985.
Anna Graham Hunter, a writer, says that when she was 17, Dustin Hoffman groped her and made inappropriate comments to her.
Dustin Hoffman apologized, and said he was sorry if he “put her in an uncomfortable situation”.
In a statement to the magazine, the Oscar-winning actor said: “I have the utmost respect for women and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have put her in an uncomfortable situation. I am sorry. It is not reflective of who I am.”
Senior editor Michael Oreskes has resigned from National Public Radio (NPR) following accusations he kissed female colleagues without their consent during business meetings.
The 63-year-old was asked to step down by the network in response to the allegations. He has previously worked for the Associated Press and the New York Times.
Two women spoke to the Washington Post on condition of anonymity, and reported stories of abrupt and unexpected kisses during business meetings. They said they were worried about career development if their names were made public.
One of the women said that while she met Michael Oreskes in the hope of getting a job with the New York Times, he suggested that they eat room service lunch in a hotel, before he unexpectedly kissed her and “slipped his tongue into her mouth”.
Michael Oreskes has not commented publicly on the allegations, and journalists at NPR report that they have tried to contact him for comment, without success.
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