The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is now investigating another sexual assault charge levied against embattled Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. An unidentified Italian actress recently accused Weinstein of raping her in a 2013 hotel room encounter.
As the Associated Press reports, the LAPD confirmed Thursday that they are actively pursuing the allegations while the actress’s attorney is preparing for a Friday afternoon news conference in downtown LA, where he will provide additional details about the potential charges.
Attorney David Ring is representing the woman, who is described as an Italian actress and model. Ring told the Los Angeles Times that, according to his client’s story, Weinstein elbowed his way into the woman’s hotel room and proceeded to rape her.
Speaking for Weinstein, Sallie Hofmeister released a statement that reiterated her client’s position that he “unequivocally denies allegations of non-consensual sex.”
Weinstein is now under police investigation in three cities — LA, New York and London — and is accused of sexual assault by women from the U.S., Canada and now Italy.
According to a statement from Ring on Thursday, the unnamed Italian actress decided to speak to police because she was emboldened by the “courageous women” who have already gone pubic with their stories.
“My client is grateful to all the courageous women who have already come forward to finally expose Weinstein,” Ring said. “These women may not have realized it, but they gave my client the support and encouragement to hold Weinstein accountable for this horrible act.”
Weinstein has no shortage of accusers, with more than 40 women now accusing him of sexual harassment, abuse or rape. On Thursday, Lupita Nyong’o wrote a column for The New York Times in which she levels accusations of repeated sexual harassment.
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