The young woman who has accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse has been identified as a 22-year-old model Ambra Battilana, who was previously linked to former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi‘s infamous sex parties.
A photo posted by Ambra B Gutierrez (@ambrabgutierrez) on Mar 23, 2015 at 4:15pm PDT
The 22-year-old model, a former Miss Italy contestant, alleges Weinstein, 63, touched her private area and breasts, around 6 p.m. Friday, while they were at the Tribeca Film Center. Police questioned Weinstein on Saturday, and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has yet to determine whether to file charges. Page Six identified Battilana late Monday and is now reporting the woman to be one of two models who witnessed one of Berlusconi’s infamous “bunga-bunga” orgies and offered testimony to Italian authorities. Battilana reportedly told an Italian court that she had seen young models performing “stripteases” during sex-themed parties at Berlusconi’s mansion.
A photo posted by Ambra B Gutierrez (@ambrabgutierrez) on Feb 19, 2015 at 8:52pm PST
A source close to The Weinstein Company told Page Six the allegations by Battilana were a “blackmail attempt” and insisted that the acclaimed producer “did nothing wrong.”
The woman told members of the NYPD she met with Weinstein at the red-carpet opening of his Radio City New York “Spring Spectacular” event last Thursday. They then communicated through email and set up an audition at Weinstein’s office on the third floor of the Tribeca Film Center at around 6 p.m. Friday to discuss “business.”
A source told the site Weinstein “asked if [her breasts] were real,” before allegedly grabbing them.
Battilana responded with “No” and left the office. She later went to the 1st Precinct police station to file a complaint.
A photo posted by Ambra B Gutierrez (@ambrabgutierrez) on Nov 26, 2014 at 6:33pm PST
Page Six reports one law enforcement source described the case as “BS,” and “It’s not going anywhere,” the source said.
A spokesman for Weinstein said, “We are cooperating fully with the authorities and are confident that we will be fully vindicated. We will have no further comment.”
Harvey Weinstein has been married to Georgina Chapman, an English fashion designer and co-founder of fashion label Marchesa, since 2007.
He and brother Bob Weinstein founded Miramax in 1979, but left the company to start The Weinstein Company in 2005.