Former production assistant testifies Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her: 'I was in such shock'
Former production assistant Mimi Haleyi took the stand Monday as the second Harvey Weinstein accuser to testify in his rape trial, telling the jury he sexually assaulted her in 2006.
Haleyi, who worked as a production assistant on the Weinstein Company-produced Project Runway, alleges Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in his New York apartment, testifying that she "rejected him" but "every time I tried to get off the bed, he would push me back and hold me down," per The Hollywood Reporter.
"I was mortified," Haleyi said. "I was just crying, 'No!' I kept trying to tell him, 'No, don't go there' ... I was in such shock that I just checked out."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Haleyi came forward with her allegation against Weinstein in 2017. She told jurors she didn't call the police after the alleged assault, as Weinstein "has a lot more power and resources and connections" and "I didn't think I would really stand a chance." Two weeks later, Haleyi testified she met Weinstein at the Tribeca Grand Hotel and, in his room, he "just took my hand and pulled me toward the bed."
"I just laid there," she said. "He had intercourse with me. ... I was laying there motionless. I felt numb."
Weinstein is facing rape and sexual assault charges stemming from Haleyi's allegation and the allegation of another woman who says he raped her in 2013. Six accusers are expected to testify during the trial, the first of whom took the stand last week. Actress Annabella Sciorra said Weinstein raped her in the early 1990s, and Rosie Perez later testified that Sciorra told her about the alleged rape.
Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations of non-consensual sex acts. If convicted, he faces possible life in prison.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Indie film's 'very brief' use of AI sparks backlash and calls for boycotts
Talking Points Did the creators of a new horror movie make a deal with the artificial intelligence devil?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Could Taylor Swift swing the election?
Today's Big Question The pop star has outsized influence — and that extends beyond the music industry
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Michigan shooter's dad guilty of manslaughter
speed read James Crumbley failed to prevent his son from killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Shooting at Chiefs victory rally kills 1, injures 21
Speed Read Gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade in Missouri
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Court rules Josef Fritzl can be moved to normal prison
Speed Read 'Notorious' criminal, now 88, was convicted for raping, committing incest and imprisoning his daughter
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Post Office scandal casts new light on Robin Garbutt murder conviction
Speed Read Supporters claim faulty Horizon evidence was key to guilty verdict but victim's mother accuses former postmaster of jumping on bandwagon
By The Week UK Published
-
Uvalde parents want indictments after DOJ's scathing school shooting report
Speed Read The Justice Department's damning review of the May 2022 school shooting in Texas details 'cascading failures,' but families of the victims want justice
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Girls left 'at the mercy' of Rochdale sex abuse gangs, says 'damning' review
Speed Read Victims 'badly failed' by council and police, said Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Prague shooting: student kills 14 people at university
Speed reads Police believe suspect, who killed himself, may have shot his father before carrying out mass murder
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published