A dancer who worked as a body double in a movie produced by Harvey Weinstein testified Thursday that the filmmaker removed her top and masturbated during a 2003 sexual assault in Puerto Rico.
The woman, identified as Ashley M., said at Weinstein’s rape and sexual assault trial in Los Angeles that she met Weinstein on the set of “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”
The then-22-year-old dancer said she was “freaked out” after meeting the Oscar-winning film producer but agreed to go with him to his hotel because his then-assistant, Bonnie Hung, said she would remain with them the entire time.
She said Hung’s presence made her feel safe, but the situation changed as the trio began walking down the hall of the hotel toward a door.
“Harvey opened it and then he went in and I went in,” she said, as she began to cry.
“And then Bonnie shut the door behind us. I was like, ‘Oh no, what do I do?’”
At that point, Weinstein became aggressive, pushed her on top of the bed, took her top off and started masturbating while on top of her despite her protests, she claimed.
Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to the allegations he faces in Los Angeles: four counts of rape and seven counts of sexual assault. Ashley M. is one of four women who are not involved in the charges but have been allowed to testify and describe Weinstein’s behavior.
She told Judge Lisa Lench that Weinstein showed up on the set when she was filming and asked her to step outside.
He allegedly talked about her giving him a massage, but she said she was engaged. He then reminded her that he was the boss and the person who decided who got to be on the set, she testified.
Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison for criminal first-degree sexual assault and third-degree rape.
The 70-year-old disgraced producer became a central figure in the #MeToo movement in 2017 after he was accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct — including harassment and rape.
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