Longtime feminist attorney Gloria Allred said Thursday she would not have accepted Harvey Weinstein's request to represent him if asked, stating she does not represent individuals accused of sexual harassment.
The statement comes as a dig at her daughter, Lisa Bloom, who is advising the movie mogul as he faces the fallout of decades of sexual harassment allegations against him. The New York Times reported on the accusations Thursday in a bombshell article detailing examples of unwanted touching and inappropriate language toward women.
While Bloom has been advising Weinstein on "gender and power dynamics," Allred said she would have turned down Weinstein, The Wrap reports:
Gloria Allred, the celebrity women’s rights attorney, has publicly called out another lawyer who’s represented sexual harassment victims in the past for agreeing to work for indie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
The catch? It’s Allred’s daughter, Lisa Bloom.
"Had I been asked by Mr. Weinstein to represent him, I would have declined, because I do not represent individuals accused of sex harassment," Allred said a statement Thursday released just after a bombshell New York Times story had settled at least eight cases of sexual harassment spanning decades.
"I only represent those who allege that they are victims of sexual harassment," she added.
Allred added that she would be happy to face her daughter in court if she was asked to represent any of Weinstein's accusers.
"While I would not represent Mr. Weinstein, I would consider representing anyone who accused Mr. Weinstein of sexual harassment, even if it meant that my daughter was the opposing counsel," Allred said.
Bloom, who helped bring down Bill O'Reilly by representing women who accused the Fox News host of sexual harassment, said Friday Weinstein's behavior was "gross" and clarified she wasn't defending him but merely offering advice.
"See, you have to understand that, yes, I’m here as his adviser," she said. I’m not defending him in any sexual harassment cases—there aren’t any sexual harassment cases. I’m working with a guy who has behaved badly over the years, who is genuinely remorseful, who says, you know, ‘I have caused a lot of pain.’ "
Gloria Allred says she disagreed with her daughter's decision to represent Harvey Weinstein https://t.co/F8SjCp8kXN
— Rachel C. Abrams (@RachelAbramsNY) October 6, 2017
Weinstein, an Oscar winner and Democratic mega-donor, told the New York Times of the allegations, "I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go."