Advertisement

Harvey Weinstein speaks out on sexual harassment accusations: ‘We all make mistakes’

Harvey Weinstein is seen on the street outside his daughter's LA home on Wed., Oct. 11. Screengrab/TMZ

Cameras finally captured Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday as he left his daughter’s Los Angeles house, heading for a residential rehab facility in Arizona.

The former executive producer at The Weinstein Company had been under the radar for several days, ever since investigative articles from The New York Times and the New Yorker broke last week.

READ MORE: Seth MacFarlane explains his 2013 Harvey Weinstein joke

The articles revealed the stories of many women — some of them A-list celebrities — who claim Weinstein sexually harassed them.

Dressed in a large T-shirt and jeans, Weinstein made his way to a waiting SUV, but not before giving a few comments to a cameraperson. (TMZ secured the rights to the video.)

Story continues below advertisement

“I’m not doing OK,” said Weinstein, who implored with the paparazzi not to follow him to California’s Van Nuys airport.

“I’m hanging in. I’m trying my best,” he continued. “I’m not doing OK, but I’m trying. I gotta get help. We all make mistakes. Second chance, I hope.”

As he started to enter the waiting SUV, Weinstein turned around again for some last words to the camera scrum; it’s unclear if he was talking about celebrities’ treatment of paparazzi, or making a not-so-subtle dig against those who’ve been turning their backs on him.

“And you know I’ve always been loyal to you guys, not like those f***ing pricks who treat you like s**t. I’ve been the good guy,” he said. He then got in the SUV and was gone.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

WATCH BELOW: The latest on Harvey Weinstein

Story continues below advertisement

His departure to Arizona comes as his wife of 10 years, Georgina Chapman, announced publicly that she plans on leaving him. The couple has two young children together.

“My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions,” said Chapman. “I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”

Some U.K. sources are reporting that the FBI is considering opening a probe into Weinstein’s behaviour, ordered by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but so far that hasn’t been confirmed by anyone within the organization.

READ MORE: Harvey Weinstein’s email to Hollywood executives pleads, ‘Do not let me be fired’

The New York Police Department, however, confirmed Thursday morning that it will be conducting its own criminal investigation. Lt. John Grimpel of the NYPD said they’ll be looking for any “additional complaints.”

“Based on information referenced in published news reports the NYPD is conducting a review to determine if there are any additional complaints relating to the Harvey Weinstein matter,” he said. “No filed complaints have been identified as of this time and as always, the NYPD encourages anyone who may have information pertaining to this matter to call the CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.”

Story continues below advertisement

Across the pond, the Metropolitan police in London are looking into an allegation of sexual abuse against Weinstein, and are going forward with a “review” to see if there are any further complaints. Toronto police told Global News that they will not investigate Weinstein. (Actor Mira Sorvino made an allegation that Weinstein sexually harassed her while attending the Toronto Film Festival in 1995.)

Weinstein has since been fired from his position at TWC, and Disney has removed him from all production duties on their upcoming movie, Artemis Fowl.

On Tuesday, A-list actors Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow joined a chorus of female celebrities accusing Weinstein of sexual harassment over decades.

READ MORE: Terry Crews says he was groped by ‘high-level Hollywood executive’

The alleged stories told by the women all share alarmingly similar elements: Weinstein, 65, purportedly takes the women to his hotel room, where he guilts and forces them into oral sex, intercourse, massages and showers in exchange for roles. None of these accusations has been proven in court.

Weinstein, through his representative, has denied all accusations of non-consensual sex.

Story continues below advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices