The whole time that daily accounts from women who said they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Harvey Weinstein were being published, the disgraced movie mogul denied such claims as being “false and defamatory.” Well, not the whole time—Weinstein also gave rehab a quick spin and made up JAY-Z quotes. But his stance has remained the same: He didn’t do any of the things he’s been accused of by more than 80 women.
Now Weinstein—whose existence has been all but wiped from the films he helped produce, though that’s far too little, too late—has issued a follow-up statement via his attorneys on the allegations. “Mr. Weinstein has never at any time committed an act of sexual assault, and it is wrong and irresponsible to conflate claims of impolitic behavior or consensual sexual contact later regretted, with an untrue claim of criminal conduct.” Weinstein’s legal counsel didn’t indicate what “impolitic behavior” their client engaged in, or if those actions were at all related to the list of enemies—sorry, accusers—he maintained.
Without noting that there are multiple ongoing investigations, Weinstein’s statement continues: “There is a wide canyon between mere allegation and truth, and we are confident that any sober calculation of the facts will prove no legal wrongdoing occurred. Nonetheless, to those offended by Mr. Weinstein’s behavior, he remains deeply apologetic.”
This less than remorseful statement was issued in response to The New York Times’ “Weinstein Complicity Machine” piece, which underscores the extent to which Weinstein was protected by his studios, The Weinstein Company and Miramax. The Times also calls out specific media outlets and the Creative Artists Agency for being part of this fucked-up ecosystem.