Suit: Assistant forced to take dictation from nude Weinstein
NEW YORK (AP) - A former personal assistant for Harvey Weinstein says she was forced to clean up messes from his sexual encounters and take dictation from him while he was naked, according to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday.
Sandeep Rehal said she suffers from "severe emotional distress" because of "incessant sexual harassment" she endured working as the movie mogul's assistant from February 2013 to February 2015. She called her work environment "sexually hostile," and said she was subjected to unwanted touching by Weinstein.
Weinstein spokeswoman Holly Baird said Weinstein "categorically denies these claims." She said Weinstein's lawyers "will respond in the appropriate legal forum with evidence proving they are untrue."
According to the lawsuit, Rehal had to manage Weinstein's supply of erectile dysfunction injections, clean semen off his office couch and pick up used condoms. She maintained Weinstein's list of contacts and had to use an asterisk to identify his sexual partners, the suit says.
Her degrading treatment constituted illegal sex discrimination, Rehal alleges in the suit.
"To say Weinstein's behavior was harmful, tawdry, demeaning and offensive is an understatement," said Genie Harrison, an attorney for Weinstein.
The suit also names as defendants Weinstein's brother, Bob Weinstein, human resources head Frank Gil and the Weinstein Co.
Dozens of other women, including well-known actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault.