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MORE THAN 200 women have contacted the LA Times with sexual harassment claims against US film director James Toback, according to the paper.
The allegations, most of which are yet to be verified, come just two days after the Times published an investigation into the director, in which 38 women claimed that the 72-year-old had sexually harassed them.
The paper said that the majority of the new accounts describe Toback approaching women on the street of Manhattan, offering them the chance at a part in an upcoming movie, and a wide range of unwanted sexual advances.
Toback has not responded to the latest allegations published in the Times. He denied the allegations published in the original report, saying he had never met the women, or if he did it “was for five minutes and [I] have no recollection”.
He also claimed that for the last 22 years it had been “biologically impossible” for him to engage in the behaviour he is accused of.
Along with the latest accounts of harassment received by the Times, a number of phone calls have been made to the Los Angeles Police Department relating to Toback in the last few days, a detective told the paper.
Thirty-one of the women spoke on the record in the original report, including Louise Post, who is a guitarist and vocalist for the band Veruca Salt, and As the World Turns actress Terri Conn.
Actress Echo Danon recalled an incident on the set of his film Black and White where Toback put his hands on her and said that he would ejaculate if she looked at his eyes and pinched his nipples.
“Everyone wants to work, so they put up with it,” Danon told the Times.
That’s why I put up with it. Because I was hoping to get another job.
Since the first report, NBC Today Show host Natalie Morales has also spoken out against Toback, writing on Twitter: “…add one more. Exact same playbook by James Toback when I encountered him near Central Park.”
“In all honesty, I thought he was just a creep hitting on me with the oldest line in the book,” Morales told the Times.
“I said on our show I was just lucky. I saw pretty quickly what he was up to,” she said.
https://twitter.com/NMoralesNBC/status/922526948273700864
Harvey Weinstein
The report comes amid the ongoing downfall of producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by over three dozen women. He was fired from the company he co-founded and widely denounced by his Hollywood peers.
Yesterday, an actress filed suit against The Weinstein Company, alleging that Weinstein sexually assaulted her and that the company had enabled his behaviour.
Weinstein was sacked as co-chairman of The Weinstein Company on 8 October but had continued to hold a seat on the board until now.
Dominique Huett charges in her suit – the first to be filed since the Weinstein scandal broke earlier this month – that she met Weinstein at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills in November 2010 to discuss career opportunities.
The actress, who starred in an episode of the TV series Blue Bloods in 2015, says that the now-disgraced movie mogul lured her into his hotel room and then insisted she give him a massage.
She initially refused but he would not take “no” for an answer and she finally complied, the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court states.
Huett says Weinstein then performed oral sex on her, also refusing to take “no” for an answer.
“After performing oral sex on the plaintiff, Weinstein masturbated in front of plaintiff until he reached orgasm,” it added.
The lawsuit charges that The Weinstein Company (TWC) was complicit in the abuse the entertainment mogul allegedly committed, in that it had known for years of his “repeated acts of sexual misconduct with women.”
With reporting by AFP.
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Serious injuries because the state refuses to legalize fireworks but prefers thousands of them to be let off illegally. Same with drugs. Leave it to the underworld to police that too. Dumb and dumber.
@Red Pirate 71: serious injuries because someone brought illegal explosives into the country which were used illegally by untrained individuals. Personal responsibility goes a long way, it’s not the states fault all the time!
@Red Pirate 71: how would legalising fireworks prevent accidents like this?
Next you’ll be blaming the government for the weather.
@Red Pirate 71: How can you blame the government for teenagers being idiots?
@Chin Feeyin: Because the fireworks they could buy then would be regulated and have proper safety standards attached to them. I guarantee what caused this was some shitty black cat banger from the black market.
@Luap: most fireworks are bought in the north
@Red Pirate 71: so you’re blaming the state for the stupid actions of two fellows who are old enough to know better?
@Red Pirate 71:
Personal responsibility.
@Chin Feeyin: Everyone knows the government is to blame for the weather !
@Richie Kennedy: because he is from that part of society himself.
@Luap: that’s pure speculation. Fireworks are dangerous in any kids’ hands. Also dangerous in the hands of untrained adults.
@Red Pirate 71: ‘cos no one in countries where fireworks are legal has ever been injured?
@Red Pirate 71: and dumbest
@Luap: You guarantee it do you?
@Red Pirate 71: this is by far the most idiotic comment ive ever seen… What a dope!!!
@Red Pirate 71: it’s legal in the uk and they never have firework accidents!
@Paul: It is very much the states responsibility to police this, they after all, are the ones who put the legislation in place. Wouldn’t be surprised if you are one of those people who buy fireworks on the black market for Halloween night.
@Paul: If the state prohibits something they create a black market. Black market dealers will sell to children! Were fireworks legal and sold in shops, you would be able to have laws to restrict children from buying them.
Zero sympathy unless they were subjected of an actual accident, on the other hand if they did this to themselves whilst mucking around illegally with illegal fireworks… well, Darwin always wins.
@ros aodha: they are only kids you muppet. Be careful what you write . Family members could be reading this. Fool
Cabra fireworks intimidation of innocent people gangs on bikes lawless living off the state I’m entitled give me everything now and I will promise to be vermin leeching off the state right to the end !
Apparently one lad lost a couple of fingers, the other an eye.
@Liam Ó hAodha: ah well.
So?
Anyone see the video going around with the AC Milan fan(I think) losing a hand thanks to a firework,, gruesome to say the least… :(
@Devilsavocado: ya looks cool
They were setting off fireworks ‘on the southside’ as well yesterday – could only hear them, but one sounded like a lovely sparkely one – only it was in the middle of the afternoon in bright sunshine … what a waste
Well if you play with fire……
Been gangs of these youths setting them off around pearse street since mid august, aiming them at people passing by. Gards dont seem to be doing anything to stop it
I was getting off the Luas at Broadstone yesterday evening when a group of teenagers let off proper fireworks beside the track. They exploded at ground level. I was thinking they could’ve seriously injured someone. One girl walking beside them got such a fright. Wonder if it was the same group they were on the green Luas line to Cabra
The Dumb F**kers were messing with Explosives, shit happens when your that thick.
@Jesse James: Maybe learn how to spell ‘you’re’ before calling people dumb. And get some empathy while you’re at it too.
@Marie McG: play stupid games win stupid prizes
Nobody is doing 5 years for lighting fireworks. What nonsense! You wouldn’t even get 5 years for murder in this country.
It’s a little early for fireworks.
Kids will be kids. Some have to learn the hard way.
Two more candidates for the Darwin Awards :-)
Kids will be kids.
Some have to learn the hard way.
have your say