Harvey Weinstein

What was the Accusation?

Harvey Weinstein, movie mogul and founder of both Miramax and the Weinstein Company, was accused in October 2017 of sexual harassment dating back nearly three decades. The New York Times piece that broke the story open provided information gained from numerous interviews with current and former employees and film industry workers as well as legal records, emails, and internal documents.  It provided detailed accounts of women who claimed to have been sexually harassed, such as actress Ashley Judd who said that Weinstein invited her to a hotel room in Beverly Hills where he offered to give her a massage and allow her to watch him shower.  Emily Nestor, a temporary employee at the Weinstein company claimed that he promised to boost her career if she submitted to his sexual advances.  Another of Weinstein’s assistants said he persisted in trying to get her to give him a massage while he was naked.  She succumbed to his advances, but argued later that the incident left her “crying and very distraught.”  And local TV reporter Lauren Sivan told of an incident in which Weinstein cornered her in the basement of a restaurant he owned and told her to stand there quietly while he proceeded to pleasure himself. Other accusers include Mira Sorvino, Gwynteth Paltrow, Rosanna Arquette, Rose McGowan, and Angelina Jolie. In response to the allegations, Weinstein released a statement to the New York Times, where he said, “I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.” He then promised to do better by seeking help from his attorney and key advisor, Lisa Bloom, and from a group of people including therapists who would help him improve his behavior.  Unfortunately, Bloom would resign her post as Weinstein’s advisor only two days after his statement of apology.  One day later, the Weinstein company board of directors voted to remove Weinstein from the company he co-founded.

Key Apologia Strategies:

Minimization, Mortification, Bolstering, Corrective Action

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Transcript

“I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.

I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office – or out of it. To anyone.

I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed.

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. That is my commitment.

My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons. Over the last year I’ve asked Lisa Bloom to tutor me and she’s put together a team of people. I’ve brought on therapists and I plan to take a leave of absence from my company and to deal with this issue head on. I so respect all women and regret what happened. I hope that my actions will speak louder than words and that one day we will all be able to earn their trust and sit down together with Lisa to learn more. Jay Z wrote in 4:44 “I’m not the man I thought I was and I better be that man for my children.” The same is true for me. I want a second chance in the community but I know I’ve got work to do to earn it. I have goals that are now priorities. Trust me, this isn’t an overnight process. I’ve been trying to do this for 10 years and this is a wake-up call. I cannot be more remorseful about the people I hurt and I plan to do right by all of them.

I am going to need a place to channel that anger so I’ve decided that I’m going to give the NRA my full attention. I hope Wayne LaPierre will enjoy his retirement party. I’m going to do it at the same place I had my Bar Mitzvah. I’m making a movie about our President, perhaps we can make it a joint retirement party. One year ago, I began organizing a $5 million foundation to give scholarships to women directors at USC. While this might seem coincidental, it has been in the works for a year. It will be named after my mom and I won’t disappoint her. “

Sources

Garber, M (2017, October 5). What Harvey Weinstein apology reveals. The Atlantic. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/10/harvey-weinstein-apology/542193/

Harvey Weinstein’s full statement following sexual harassment allegations (2017, October 5). CNN. Retrieved from: http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/05/media/harvey-weinsteins-full-statement/index.html

Heller. C. (2017, October 7). Lisa Bloom resigns as advisor to Harvey Weinstein amid sexual harassment allegations. Retrieved from: http://www.eonline.com/news/885523/lisa-bloom-resigns-as-advisor-to-harvey-weinstein-amid-sexual-harassment-allegations

Hoby, H. (2017, October 7). Harvey Weinstein: Fall of Hollywood player they once called ‘God.’ The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/08/harvey-weinstein-fall-of-hollywood-player-once-called-god#img-1

Kantor, J., & Twohey, M. (2017, October 5). Harvey Weinstein paid off sexual harassment accusers for decades. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html