Hollywood liberal and Democratic mega donor Harvey Weinstein has hired a team of high-powered attorneys in preparation for soon-to-be-published stories detailing sexual allegations and complaints of improper work behavior against him.
Weinstein, a Hollywood mogul and founder of the Weinstein Company, will soon be featured in the New York Times and New Yorker for his alleged improper work behavior. In the stories, some of the women making the charges are believed to be on the record, Variety reported.
Weinstein has retained prominent litigator David Boies, known for representing Al Gore in the U.S. Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore, which resolved the 2000 presidential election. Prior to the articles' publication, he has also retained attorneys Lisa Bloom, who brought down former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly after sexual harassment allegations, and Charles Hardner. At least one of the stories could be published as early as next week, according to Variety:
Jodi Kantor, an investigative reporter who wrote about harsh working conditions at Amazon, is working on the story for the Times, along with Megan Twohey, who wrote a piece about Weinstein’s questionable charitable work for amfAR, a charity involved with AIDS research. Ronan Farrow, the former MSNBC host, is doing the story for the New Yorker, according to multiple individuals with knowledge of the situation. One individual said that at least one of the stories could be published as early as this week.
Variety conducted a brief interview with Weinstein on Wednesday, in which he declined to comment on the charges against him.
"I’ve not been aware of this," he said. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, honestly."
Weinstein was asked whether the publications had called him to comment on the allegations, but said he was too busy working in the editing room on an upcoming historical drama called, "The Current War," later adding he had a "crazy day."
"Why don’t I get, since I must have these high-priced lawyers, let me get them back to talk to you," said Weinstein.
Weinstein later released a statement through a spokesperson, as did Bloom. "The story sounds so good I want to buy the movie rights," Weinstein said.
"Harvey Weinstein is obviously excellent at assembling a legal team," Bloom said.
In addition to his team of high-powered attorneys, an insider said Weinstein is trying to retain public relations services from Lanny Davis, Bill Clinton's former special counsel.
Weinstein is a longtime friend and supporter of Hillary Clinton. He hosted multiple fundraisers for the former presidential candidate during the 2016 campaign and was a vocal proponent of her policies.
Weinstein was one of the top bundlers for Barack Obama's 2012 presidential campaign, where he raised a minimum of $500,000 for his reelection. He also donated $2,600 to Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) in 2013 and $2,500 to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) in 2012. Both candidates have fueled speculation that they might make a 2020 presidential run.
He further hosted a private meeting with Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) while she was visiting Democratic power brokers and donors in the Hamptons back in July. Harris has also fueled speculation she could make a 2020 presidential run. She has added former Hillary Clinton campaign veterans to her staff, and her campaign committee, Kamala Harris for Senate, has rented office space. She was just sworn in to office nine months ago, and is not up for reelection until 2022.
The Weinstein Company’s work includes films such as Oscar-winners "The Artist" and "The King’s Speech," as well as box office hits such as "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Django Unchained."