A second actress has filed an anonymous case claiming she was sexually harassed by movie producer Harvey Weinstein and has also asked for class action status against Weinstein and the two companies he co-founded in a lawsuit on Wednesday.
Filed in US District Court in Los Angeles, the lawsuit claims The Weinstein Company and Miramax helped facilitate and cover up Weinstein’s sexual misconduct. It is the first lawsuit filed against Weinstein to seek class-action status.
Damages being sought exceed $5 million, which could be tripled under federal racketeering accusations made in the lawsuit. Weinstein and the companies are accused in the suit of violating federal racketeering laws, assault, civil battery, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to the lawsuit. The companies are also accused of negligent supervision.
A lawyer and a spokesperson for Weinstein did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nor did two representatives of the Weinstein Co.
More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades.
Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
