Harvey Weinstein released on $1 million bail over rape, sex abuse charges

Harvey Weinstein, who was arrested and arraigned on charges that he raped one woman and forced another to perform oral sex on him, has been released on $1 million bail.

According to USA Today, the disgraced Hollywood producer also agreed to wear a GPS tracker and to surrender his passport after turning himself in to police on Friday.

Weinstein was carrying three books, including Todd Purdum's "Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution," as he got out of a black SUV and walked past the swarm of TV cameras and reporters and through the front door of the New York Police Department's First Precinct in Manhattan on Friday.

His defense attorney Benjamin Brafman told reporters that Weinstein would enter a not guilty plea.

"Mr Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behaviour with anyone. Nothing about today's proceedings changes Mr Weinstein's position. He has entered a plea of not guilty and fully expects to be exonerated," Brafman was quoted as saying in the US media.

NYT, New Yorker win Pulitzer for Weinstein reportage that sparked #MeToo

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The New York Times and The New Yorker won the Pulitzer Prize for public service Monday for explosive reporting that brought down Harvey Weinstein and spawned a cultural watershed on the issue of sexual harassment.

The prestigious prize was awarded to the Times team led by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey and New Yorker contributor Ronan Farrow, for reports that disgraced the Hollywood mogul and sparked an avalanche of accusations against other powerful men.

Since the Times and New Yorker articles last October, more than 100 women have publicly accused the producer of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape, sparking the #MeToo movement that has seen a string of influential men lose their jobs and reputation.

Weinstein's marriage has ended, he has been under police investigation in London, Los Angeles and New York, hit by a litany of civil lawsuits and his former production company has been forced to file for bankruptcy.

'Monster' Harvey Weinstein threatened to kill me: Salma Hayek

Actress Salma Hayek has described Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein as a rage-fuelled "monster", alleging he sexually harassed and threatened her.

Writing in the New York Times, Hayek said Weinstein once told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't," BBC reported on Wednesday.

Dozens of actresses, including Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused Mr Weinstein of harassment or assault.

He denies all allegations of non-consensual sex.

BBC has approached representatives of Weinstein for a response to Salma Hayek's article.

In the NYT, Hayek, 51, a Mexican-American, describes working with him on what she called her "greatest ambition" - telling the story of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

After striking a deal with Weinstein for the rights of the film that would eventually become 2002's Frida, Hayek wrote it became "my turn to say no".

"No to me taking a shower with him.

"No to letting him watch me take a shower.

"No to letting him give me a massage.

"No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage.

"No to letting him give me oral sex.

"No to my getting naked with another woman," she wrote.

She goes on to accuse him of threatening to shut the film down unless she filmed a nude sex scene with another actress.
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Producers Guild of America bans Hollywood flimmaker Harvey Weinstein

Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been banned for life by the Producers Guild of America (PGA).

The process of terminating Weinstein's membership was initiated by the PGA's board of directors two weeks ago.

The guild's constitution had given the Hollywood mogul an opportunity to respond to the charges against him, but he chose to "resign" from his membership.

"In light of Mr Weinstein's widely reported behaviour — with new reports continuing to surface even now the Producers Guild's National Board has voted unanimously to enact a lifetime ban on Mr Weinstein, permanently barring him from PGA membership," the PGA said in a statement.

Calling it an "unprecedented step", the guild said that it was "a reflection of the serious with which the Guild regards the numerous reports of Weinstein's decades of reprehensible conduct."

"Sexual harassment can no longer be tolerated in our industry or within the ranks of Producers Guild membership," the guild said.

The PGA also said that its Officers and National Board of Directors have created the Anti-Sexual Harassment Task Force which will research and propose substantive and effective solutions to combat "sexual harassment in the entertainment industry".
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Weinstein Co enters into agreement with Colony Capital to provide capital

The Weinstein Company has entered talks for a sale of the bulk of its assets to private equity firm Colony Capital, the two companies said in a statement on Monday.

The Weinstein Company's co-chairman, Bob Weinstein, over the weekend denied the company was seeking to sell or shut down the company after his partner Harvey Weinstein was fired following reports of sexual harassment allegations.
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