Serial predator Harvey Weinstein has been terminated from the independent film company he co-founded in New York City.
The Weinstein Company’s all-male board of directors terminated the powerful movie mogul amid allegations of sexual harassment. The film studio’s board of directors announced the termination in a statement on Sunday.
He is also barred from entering the company he co-founded with his brother Bob in 2005.
The news comes after a TV journalist accused Weinstein of masturbating in front of her.
Lauren Sivan, a reporter with Los Angeles Fox News affiliate FOX11, said Weinstein backed her into a corner in a kitchen that was not accessible to the public.
She said he then masturbated in front of her. The incident happened about 10 years ago, but Sivan never spoke about it until the New York Times published a bombshell report last week. The Times reported that Weinstein settled out of court eight times with his accusers.
As the story about Weinstein’s predatory behavior mushroomed on Friday, the Oscar-winner said he would take a leave of absence and seek therapy for his unnatural urges.
The 65-year-old father-of-five blamed his urges on his volatile temper and the “casting couch” culture in Hollywood.
“I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then,” Weinstein said.
He added, “I also have the worst temper known to mankind, my system is all wrong, and sometimes I create too much tension. I lose it, and I am emotional, that’s why I’ve got to spend more time with a therapist and go away.”
SEE ALSO: Malia Obama Interned with Harvey Weinstein
Meanwhile, friends of former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama are questioning their judgment.
Friends say the Obamas were well aware of Weinstein’s predatory behavior when they asked him to allow their eldest daughter, Malia Obama, to intern at his film company over the summer.
Former New York Times writer Frank Rich tweeted on October 6, “Biggest mystery of @nytimes Weinstein story: How exemplary parents like Obamas let their daughter work there. The stories were out there.”
Weinstein reportedly donated over $28,500 to Obama’s 2008 campaign, and he held a star-studded fundraiser for Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign.
A Newsbusters.org reporter writes: “If they were such great parents, it’s fair to ask why did they let their 18-year old daughter work for an alleged sexual predator for more than six months?”
Multiple blogs posted photos of a miserable-looking Malia arriving at Weinstein’s offices during her internship.
In more bad news, Weinstein’s friend and legal counsel, Lisa Bloom, dropped him as her client after her mother, Gloria Allred, publicly slammed her for defending the predator.
Bloom, 56, announced her resignation in a tweet on Saturday afternoon.
“I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein. My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement,” she wrote.
