Photo by David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Jaeger-LeCoultre(NEW YORK) — In a lawsuit filed Thursday in New York, a former personal assistant to disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein said she “was forced to work in a pervasive and severe sexually hostile work environment at The Weinstein Company LLC.”
Sandeep Rehal worked for TWC as Harvey Weinstein’s personal assistant for two years but by February 2015 she reached what her suit calls “an emotional breaking point” and she left.
“As a result of the hostile work environment caused by the incessant sexual harassment, Ms. Rehal has suffered, and continues to suffer from severe emotional distress, anxiety, depression, humiliation, fear, anguish and loss of self-esteem,” the lawsuit claims.
In a statement, a rep for Weinstein said, “Mr. Weinstein categorically denies these claims and his lawyers will respond in the appropriate legal forum with evidence proving they are untrue. “
The lawsuit names Weinstein, his brother Bob, and Frank Gill, TWC’s senior vice president for human resources
Bob Weinstein and Frank Gil did not respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
In the suit, Rehal describes her job as “awful and terrifying.” She also claims Weinstein often worked naked and forced her to take dictation of emails while he was. She said he subjected her to unwelcome touching.
Rehal said she was also responsible for procuring Weinstein’s erectile dysfunction medication.
“She was required to manage the stock of Caverject shots for his erectile dysfunction. She had to obtain the shots and keep them stocked in cabinet behind her desk at Harvey Weinstein’s TWC office,” the suit alleges. “Every time Harvey Weinstein went to meet a woman at a hotel, in the office, or elsewhere, which occurred on average at least three times a week when he was in New York, Ms. Rehal was required as part of her job to provide Harvey Weinstein with a shot, which she placed in his jacket pocket or in a brown paper bag.”
Over the past few months, Weinstein has been accused by dozens of women of sexual misconduct, with several alleging sexual assault. Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex. He is currently facing criminal investigations in several jurisdictions, as well as multiple lawsuits.
Rehal’s suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorneys fees.
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