The public has known since October 2017 that movie producer Harvey Weinstein is accused of committing serious and horrific acts of sexual harassment, misconduct and assault during his time at the top of the Hollywood food chain. Through numerous exposés and testimonies from the women and men who worked for and with Weinstein, a picture of his alleged behavior has become clearer and clearer. Now, a new lawsuit filed by Weinstein’s former assistant makes new allegations of heinous behind-the-scenes behavior that confirms some of the grossest details we’ve heard thus far.
More: #MeToo May Be Behind Casey Affleck’s Break With Oscars Tradition
On Thursday, The Hollywood Reporter learned that Sandeep Rehal has filed a lawsuit in a New York federal court against the Weinstein brothers as well as The Weinstein Company for discrimination and harassment that she experienced while working as Weinstein’s assistant.
Rehal started working for TWC in February 2013, but by February 2015, she couldn’t continue working for the company. Once you read even a fraction of the details from the lawsuit, as reported by THR, you too may understand why she had to quit.
More: Marisa Tomei & Rosanna Arquette Honor the Overlooked “Silence Breakers” at the SAGs
According to the lawsuit, Rehal not only had to deal with the demanding whims of anyone personally connected to Weinstein but was also commissioned to set up the clandestine hotel meetings that many female actors cite as the means by which Weinstein attempted to get alone time with them.
“Much of Ms. Rehal’s work as an employee of TWC involved catering to Harvey Weinstein’s sexual appetites and activities, and catering to his demeaning and often abusive family members. Ms. Rehal was required to be involved in and aware of the preparations for, and clean up after, Harvey Weinstein’s extremely prolific sexual encounters.”
Another shocking allegation made in the lawsuit is that Rehal was responsible for keeping a list of Weinstein’s “girls,” women with whom he had regular intimate liaisons, as well as buying lingerie and refilling and providing his erectile dysfunction injections.
“Every time Harvey Weinstein went to meet a woman at a hotel, in the office, or elsewhere, which occurred on average at least three times a week when he was in New York, Ms. Rehal was required as part of her job to provide Harvey Weinstein with a shot, which she placed in his jacket pocket or in a brown paper bag,” the lawsuit states, continuing on to highlight the most stomach-churning detail: “Another ‘task’ Ms. Rehal was forced to do to aid Harvey Weinstein’s sexual encounters was to clean up the semen on the couch in Harvey Weinstein’s office. This happened on a regular basis, three or so times a week when Harvey Weinstein was in New York.”
More: Jason Priestley Reveals He Punched Harvey Weinstein in the Face
Rehal also endured being called sexist names, including multiple vulgarities about the female anatomy, as well as being encouraged to sit with Weinstein in the back of his chauffeured car and work while he allegedly groped her. It’s not too difficult to see how Rehal could only bear to work for Weinstein for two years, given the kinds of allegations laid out here.
Genie Harrison, Rehal’s attorney, wrote in a statement, “Weinstein’s abuse of power has been well documented, allowing Sandeep finally to reveal the details of her employment, which before now might have seemed too incredibly horrifying to believe. Although Sandeep’s employers gave little thought to her physical and emotional welfare, we have confidence that the jury will deliver justice and restore her dignity.”
A spokeswoman for Weinstein told THR, “Mr. Weinstein categorically denies these allegations and his lawyers will respond in the appropriate legal forum with evidence proving they are untrue.” Reps for TWC have yet to issue a statement.
Leave a Comment