Woman who accuses Harvey Weinstein of rape releases video of him propositioning her hours before alleged incident

September 13, 2018

A woman who accused Harvey Weinstein of rape has released a video showing the disgraced film producer propositioning her in the hours before the alleged incident.

Melissa Thompson, who sued Weinstein in June, said she made the recording, shown by Sky News, while demonstrating video technology for the movie mogul-turned-#MeToo villain at his New York City office in 2011.

Weinstein is seen on the video rejecting a handshake from Ms Thompson and then hugging her instead and rubbing her back.

He then caresses her shoulder as they sit side-by-side in front of her laptop computer during what was supposed to be a business presentation.

After quickly agreeing to use the technology to promote his movies, Ms Thompson said Weinstein put his hand up her dress.

The video, which only captures the two from the waist up, doesn't show Weinstein's hands at that point, but does show Ms Thompson reacting with discomfort and telling Weinstein, "That's too high. That's too high."

In an interview with Sky News, Ms Thompson said Weinstein's behaviour was distracting and she struggled to stay "on script" with the product pitch. She said his affect changed from the start of the meeting, that his eyes had darkened and he "looked like a predator".

Ms Thompson said she later met Weinstein at a nearby hotel bar, where she said she expected to close the technology deal. She said Weinstein led her to a hotel room and raped her.

Along the way, she said, he rebuffed her attempts to fight or get away.

A statement released today by Weinstein's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said: "Several respected journalists and trustworthy individuals have seen the entire video. The video, when viewed in its entirety, in context and not select excerpts, demonstrates that there is nothing forceful, but casual if not awkward flirting from both parties."

"Anything short of that is intended to make Mr Weinstein appear inappropriate, and even exploitative. It was producer by Ms Thompson to bolster her position in a civil lawsuit seeking money," the statement added.

The director handed himself into police last week, and could face 25 years in prison if convicted.

Sky News aired only portions of the video.

Weinstein has been charged in New York with assaulting three women. Ms Thompson is not among them.

Weinstein is free on bail pending trial.

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