Harvey Weinstein speaks out after sexual harassment claims: I'm suing NYT for 'reckless reporting'
Weinstein spoke to The Wrap and Page Six, telling both outlets that his apology statement, given to the Times, was sincere - and that he's still set on suing the Times for $50 million.
"What I am saying is that I bear responsibility for my actions, but the reason I am suing is because of the Times' inability to be honest with me, and their reckless reporting," Weinstein told Page Six. "They told me lies. They made assumptions. ... The Times had a deal with us that they would tell us about the people they had on the record in the story, so we could respond appropriately, but they didn't live up to the bargain."
In the Times report, among numerous other allegations, actress Ashley Judd accused Weinstein of inviting her to his hotel room, appearing in a bathrobe, offering her a massage, and asking her if she wanted to watch him take a shower.
One of Weinstein's lawyers, Lisa Bloom, told The Wrap that the Times did not give Weinstein and his team enough time to respond to the allegations.
"We said, 'What is it, tell us the allegations, we will respond. Harvey is going to be admitting some stuff,'" Bloom said. "Two days ago, after begging, they gave us a couple dozen allegations that spanned 30 years and a dozen countries. They said we have until 1 pm today. We said 'Why?' They never said."
A Times spokesperson told The Wrap that they are "confident in the accuracy and fairness of our reporting" and that Weinstein had "ample time" to respond to allegations.
As the cofounder of Miramax Films and The Weinstein Company, Harvey Weinstein has had an undeniable influence on Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Six of the films he has produced have won the Academy Award for best picture, including "Shakespeare in Love" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
In his apology statement provided to the Times on Thursday, Weinstein said he would take a "leave of absence" from The Weinstein Company in the wake of the allegations.