L.A. city attorney says he's looking for people to help him prosecute Harvey Weinstein
To date, the consequences facing Harvey Weinstein over the accusations of decades of sexual harassment and assault he’s been hit with in the last few weeks have been exclusively social and professional; Weinstein has been fired from his company, denounced by his former friends and colleagues, and has reportedly checked himself into treatment for “sex addiction,” but, outside a few police departments—New York and London, notably—expressing interest, there’s been no definitive word of any legal action to date.
Tonight, though, Deadline reports that L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer has issued an open call for women to come forward with stories of Weinstein’s alleged actions, in the hopes of putting together a prosecution against him. “We take allegations like these very seriously, and where the facts support conviction, we will prosecute,” Feuer said in a statement, encouraging people to bring their stories to the LAPD, which has reportedly been debating opening an investigation into Weinstein’s actions.
You can read Feuer’s full statement here:
The Weinstein allegations have placed a bright spotlight on sexual harassment and sexual abuse, especially in the workplace. As brave victims come forward, others have been encouraged to do the same. And our nation must now confront these significant issues in a profound way.
From our prosecutions in this area, I know it takes tremendous courage for women and men to share often intimate details of sexual harassment or abuse. We know this is not just a Hollywood thing—it’s a workplace thing, arising all too often in virtually every industry.
Indeed, while most people don’t work in the entertainment industry, victims of sexual harassment and abuse share many of the very same concerns we’ve heard about in recent days: Will my job be on the line if I say something? Will I be publicly humiliated? Will anyone believe me—and will anyone stand up for me?
I am here to say we will. We take allegations like these very seriously, and where the facts support conviction, we will prosecute. I’m very pleased that LAPD recently issued a call for alleged victims to come forward so LAPD can investigate. Please come forward so that your cases—and justice—can be pursued.