LAPD Investigates New Harvey Weinstein Rape Allegation

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Los Angeles police are investigating a new rape allegation made by an Italian model/actress against Harvey Weinstein Thursday.

The Los Angeles Police Department is the third agency to investigate sexual assault allegations against the disgraced producer, but new allegations could pose the greatest threat to Weinstein because they stem from a 2013 incident — well within the statute of limitations. Weinstein hasn't publicly commented on the latest allegation, but last week a spokesperson denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex.

"The Los Angeles Police Department robbery and homicide division has interviewed a potential sexual assault victim of Harvey Weinstein, which allegedly occurred in 2013," said LAPD spokesman Officer Drake Madison. "The case is under investigation."

Also See: #MeToo Sparks National Discussion On Sexual Assault

The Los Angeles Times interviewed the unnamed 38-year-old model who said Weinstein bullied his way into her hotel room at the Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel after she attended the eighth annual Los Angeles, Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest.

“He ... bullied his way into my hotel room, saying, ‘I’m not going to [have sex with] you, I just want to talk,’” she told the Times. ”Once inside, he asked me questions about myself but soon became very aggressive and demanding and kept asking to see me naked. He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to do something I did not want to do. He then dragged me to the bathroom and forcibly raped me.”

``Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr.Weinstein,'' a Weinstein publicist said last week. ``Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. Mr. Weinstein obviously can't speak to anonymous allegations, butwith respect to any women who have made allegations on the record, Mr.Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual. Mr.Weinstein has begun counseling, has listened to the community and is pursuing abetter path. Mr. Weinstein is hoping that, if he makes enough progress, he willbe given a second chance.''

The New York Police Department as well as police in London are also investigation accusations of assault against Weinstein. The NYPD is looking into two sex crime allegations against Weinstein, and detectives in London are investigating allegations made by three women.

"I barely knew this man," the Los Angeles accuser told The Times. "It was the most demeaning thing ever done to me by far. I sickens me still. ... He made me feel like an object, like nothing with all his power."

She said she told a priest, a friend and a nanny at the time, but was afraid to come forward to police. She said she decided to come forward Thursday at the urging of her children.

At the time of the attack, she was 34 years old and living with her three children in Italy, The Times reported.

The fallout against Weinstein began earlier this month with a New York Times article claiming Weinstein had reached financial settlements with eight women for alleged sexual harassment. Days later, the New Yorker ran an article detailing more allegations of harassment, along with three women accusing Weinstein of sexually assaulting them.

RELATED:

• Harvey Weinstein Now Accused Of Rape As A-Listers Come Forward
  
• Rose McGowan Accuses Harvey Weinstein Of Rape, Calls Out Industry
  
• Harvey Weinstein Seeks Sex Therapy As Wife Leaves, More Accusers Come Forward

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City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Harvey Weinstein attends the DeGrisogono 'Love On The Rocks' during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 23, 2017 in Cap d'Antibes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)