A New York television reporter has come forward with a new allegation against Harvey Weinstein, telling the HuffPost that the embattled producer once cornered her in a restaurant hallway and masturbated in front of her until he ejaculated.
Lauren Sivan, at the time a news anchor for Long Island 12, a local cable channel, said she had gone with Weinstein in 2007 to a nightclub called Socialista.
According to Sivan, she agreed to take a tour of the club’s restaurant with Weinstein and accompanied him downstairs, where he dismissed the kitchen staff and, she said, attempted to kiss her.
Once they left, Sivan says Weinstein leaned in and tried to kiss her. Sivan rejected that attempt and told him she had a long-term boyfriend. Weinstein then said to Sivan, “Well, can you just stand there and shut up.”
Sivan said Weinstein then blocked her exit from the area, exposed himself and began to masturbate until ejaculating into a nearby potted plant. The HuffPost also spoke to a friend of Sivan’s who was with her at Socialista that night, who corroborated several details of the story.
Sivan later tweeted a link to the Huffington Post story, confirming her assertions, adding, “Luckily I didn’t need a job or favor from him… others did. Keep that in mind.”
Yeah. This happened👇🏽luckily I didn't need a job or favor from him + didn't have to be polite. Others did. Keep that in mind. https://t.co/mXs2RIU5kU
— Lauren Sivan (@LaurenSivan) October 7, 2017
Representatives for Weinstein and The Weinstein Company have not responded to requests for comment.
The allegation follows a shocking New York Times report Thursday morning that Weinstein made settlements to eight women who accused him of sexual misconduct.
Shortly after that story published, Weinstein took a leave of absence from TWC.