Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein kept a secret “hitlist” of nearly 100 film industry figures who were aware of his alleged sexually abusive behavior and used to determine whether they would ever plan to go public.
The list, The Observer reports, which includes the names of 91 figures working across the film industry, was drawn up by Weinstein himself as part of a wider strategy to suppress any potential accusers coming forward.
Some of the individuals named on the list include women who have since accused Weinstein of sexually abusing them, including actress Rose McGowan, former Miramax production assistant Zelda Perkins, and British actress Sophie Dix.
The list also reveals that Weinstein was aware of Jodi Kantor, the New York Times journalist who broke the story of the series of allegations against him. A public relations professional is also named alongside a note that says: “HW [Harvey Weinstein] in contact w/him. Friends w/Jodi Kantor.”
Since the initial misconduct story broke, over 50 women have claimed that they were victims of Weinstein’s sexual abuse, with allegations ranging from inappropriate behavior to rape.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has confirmed that they are preparing an indictment against Weinstein over claims he raped the actress Paz de La Huerta twice in 2010 at her Manhattan apartment.
Weinstein, who checked in to a sexual rehabilitation facility last month, has since been fired from The Weinstein Company, a company he co-founded in 2005 with his brother Bob Weinstein, and was expelled from numerous Hollywood trade organizations, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Television Academy, and the Producers Guild of America.
A spokesperson for the indie mogul has said that Weinstein “unequivocally denies” all allegations of non-consensual sex, and claimed that it “fiction to suggest that any individuals were targeted or suppressed at any time.”
The allegations have also led to the eruption of a wider sexual abuse scandal across Hollywood, implicating the likes of Kevin Spacey, CK Louis, and Brett Ratner.
Follow Ben Kew on Facebook, Twitter at @ben_kew, or email him at bkew@breitbart.com.