Renee Zellweger's
Comments re Sexual Harrassment
“The
women who have spoken about their abuse are brave and heroic and
although I didn't have a personal experience like this in multiple
films with Harvey Weinstein, I unfortunately cannot say I'm
surprised. This culture has always existed, not just in Hollywood,
but across the world. And many men in positions of power have gotten
away with it for far too long. We cannot blame the victims here.
A lot of these women are young ~ just starting out in their
respective fields, and have absolutely no way to stand up to a man
with so much influence, much greater than theirs. If they speak up,
they are shut down...and that could be the end of their career.
This is all a positive step forward in changing that culture...
and these young women need to know that they have a 'support system'
should anything like this happen to them.”
Former NFL, CFL
star Moon Denies Sexual Harassment Claims,
writes
Adam Kilgore, published in The Washington Post. “Famed
quarterback, Warren Moon denied claims made against him in a lawsuit
by a California woman who worked at the sports marketing agency he
led, according to a statement released by a lawyer representing him.
The lawsuit, filed in California by Moon's executive assistant at
Sport 1 Marketing, alleged that Moon required the plaintiff, Wendy
Haskell, to wear thong underwear and sleep in his bed on work trips,
among other accusations.” Mr. Moon contends these claims are
meritlesss and he has every intention to vigorously defend himself
in court.”
“Moon,
61, had served as an analyst on the Seattle Seahawks' radio network.
Moon requested and received a 'temporary' leave of absence from the
network.
“Moon
hired Haskell, 32, in July. She frequently travelled with Moon for
speaking engagements, charity events and other meetings, according to
the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges Moon committed sexual battery by
grabbing Haskell's crotch during a trip to Seattle this year. The
suit also accuses Moon of pulling off the woman's bathing suit after
slipping a drug into her drink during a separate trip to Mexico in
October. Moon insisted she would lose her job if she did not
comply...and that his former assistant 'accepted the same
arrangement,' the lawsuit claims.
“Moon
retired after a 17-year NFL career in 2001 as one of the most
prolific passers in league history after winning 5 Grey Cups and 2
Grey Cup MVP awards with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. Though he
won the 1989 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his charity and
on-field excellence, his career was also pockmarked with scandals
involving women.
In May, 1995, a Vikings cheerleader sued Moon and accused him of
sexual harassment,
alleging that he offered her cash for sex. The case was settled
out-of-court within days.
Metropolitan
Conductor Denies Sex Allegations:
“James Levine denied allegations of sexual misconduct made against
him. In a statement to The New York Times, Levine called the
accusations unfounded
and stated that anyone who truly know him will attest that he is not
an oppressor or an aggressor. The opera suspended Levine on Sunday
after the Times published accounts from 3 of the accusers who say
Levine sexually abused them when they were teenagers. A 4th
accuser later came forward. The conductor says he wants to continue
working at the Met ~ and that his fervent
hope is that, in time, people will come to understand the truth.”
NYC
Ballet Chief Accused of Harassment Takes Leave:
Peter Martins, the influential leader of the New York City Ballet
for 3 decades, has taken a 'leave of absence' pending an
investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. The company
confirmed that 71-year-old Martins was granted a temporary leave from
the company and the affiliated School of American Ballet until an
independent investigation concluded...following an anonymous letter
accusing Martins of past sexual harassment. The Washington Post
reported that a former City Ballet dancer, Kelly Boal, had accused
Martins of grabbing and shaking her in a violent way during a 1989
confrontation.
'X-Men'
Director, Accused of Sexual Assault in Lawsuit:
Bryan Singer, who directed “Superman Returns” and several “X-Men
movies , was accused in a lawsuit Thursday of sexually assaulting a
17-year-old boy at a party more than a decade ago. In the lawsuit,
Cesar Sanchez-Guzman said he met Singer for the first time at the the
2003 party, which took place on a yacht in Seattle, when he offered
to give him a tour of the boat. While showing him the Master
Bedroom, according to the lawsuit, Singer shut the door behind him
and demanded sex from Sanchez-Guzman. After he refused, the lawsuit
says, Singer
pushed him on the bed and sexually assaulted him.
(Tis said, Taking risks is OK ~ but you must be prudent!)
“Later,
Bryan Singer approached Cesar and told him that he was a producer in
Hollywood and that he could help Cesar get into acting as long as
Cesar never said anything about the incident. He then told Cesar
that no one would believe him if he ever reported it...and that he
could hire people who are capable of ruining someone's reputation.
Singer, categorically denies these allegations.
Singer
was fired in recent days from directing 'Bohemian
Rhapsody'.
In 2014, another man, Michael Egan, accused Singer of drugging him
when he was a minor in1999. Egan, later dropped the lawsuit.
(the foregoing 3 incidents were reported through “Wire Services”)
Charlie
Sheen Sues Tabloid Over Assault Allegations:
Charlie Sheen is suing the National Enquirer, saying that the
magizine defamed him by alleging he sexually assaulted teen actor
Corey Haim. In papers filed Friday in Los Angeles, Sheen called the
tabloids allegations ridiculous
and disgusting.
The
Enquirer's November 8th
edition includes a quote from actor Dominick Brascia, saying he was
in his mid-teens and Sheen around 20, Sheen and Haim (who died in
2010), both appeared in the 1986 release “Lucas.” Brascia told
the Enquirer that the assault came during the film's production.
Sheen is seeking unspecified damages. (Published December 12 by News
Services)
Maura
Judkis and Emily Heil wrote
December 12th
that celebrity chef, Mario Batali has taken leave from his
restaurants and co-hosting duties on ABC's “The Chew” after the
website 'Eater' reported Monday that 4 women, all unnamed, have
accused Batali of sexual harassment. One woman described 2 instances
where Batali made inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact witrh
her, while the others alleged that Batali groped their breasts and
buttocks at industry parties. Three of them worked for him, while
the fourth works in the industry.
Batali has stepped away from operations of his empire of 26
restaurants
worldwide which he co-owns with restauranteur Joe Bastianich.
He
apologized in a statement to Eater saying, “I
apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt. Although the
identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories,
have not been revealed to me, much of the behaviour described, does
in fact.”
The Food Network has stated, “Matters like this we take very
seriously
and
we are putting relaunch plans for 'Molto
Mario'
on hold.
News reports over the years show that his restaurants, were a place
where sexual comments and behaviour went unpunished. Employees at
Babbo, Batali's Italian restaurant in New York, have been the source
of several complaints.
Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 12, 2017
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