Harvey Weinstein’s former personal assistant filed suit against the disgraced movie mogul in New York federal court Thursday, alleging that she was frequently sexually harassed on the job, took dictation from Weinstein while he was naked, and was tasked with repeatedly cleaning the sofa in Weinstein’s office after he’d had sex there.
Sandeep Rehal — who quit her job at The Weinstein Co. in 2015 after two years — alleged in her suit that she had been “required to be involved in and aware of the preparations for, and clean up after, Harvey Weinstein’s extremely prolific sexual encounters.”
Specific allegations listed in the complaint include that Weinstein regularly called Rehal a “c*nt” and a “p*ssy,” made demeaning comments toward her, and groped her as she rode in the back of his chauffeured car.
Rehal further claimed that Weinstein dictated emails to her while he was naked on a weekly basis, and that she’d been tasked with maintaining the movie mogul’s supply of erectile dysfunction medication.
“Another ‘task’ Ms. Rehal was forced to do to aid Harvey Weinstein’s sexual encounters was to clean up the semen on the couch in Harvey Weinstein’s office,” the complaint adds, according to a copy obtained by the Hollywood Reporter. “This happened on a regular basis, three or so times a week when Harvey Weinstein was in New York.”
Producer Bob Weinstein and producer Harvey Weinstein attends the New York premiere of Dimension Films’ “The Road” at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas on November 16, 2009 in New York City. (Mark Von Holden/Getty Images for Dimension Films)
Harvey Weinstein attends Tribeca Talks: Harvey Weinstein In Coversation during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theater on April 18, 2015 in New York City. (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)
The suit also names Harvey’s brother and business partner, Bob Weinstein, and Weinstein Co. executive Frank Gil.
“Weinstein’s abuse of power has been well documented, allowing Sandeep finally to reveal the details of her employment, which before now might have seemed too incredibly horrifying to believe,” an attorney for Rehal said in a statement to THR. “Although Sandeep’s employers gave little thought to her physical and emotional welfare, we have confidence that the jury will deliver justice and restore her dignity.”
A rep for Weinstein told THR that the producer “categorically denies” the claims in the suit and would respond in the “appropriate legal forum.”
The allegations from Rehal are just the latest in a string of claims against the producer, once known as one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. Dozens of women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct or assault, including more than ten who have accused him of rape.
The initial allegations against Weinstein — first detailed in an October New York Times exposé — helped spark the broader #MeToo movement and led to yet more allegations of sexual misconduct against more than one hundred prominent figures in Hollywood and media.
Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum