In New York, Harvey Weinstein’s defense team had the opportunity on Thursday to question a woman who accuses the former Hollywood mogul of forcibly performing oral sex on her almost twenty years ago. Miriam Haley, testifying for a third day at Weinstein’s rape retrial, faced probing inquiries from defense lawyer Jennifer Bonjean about various aspects of her interactions with Weinstein, including her decision to seek legal representation and speak out about her allegations during the #MeToo movement in October 2017.
Bonjean questioned Haley about why she continued to communicate with Weinstein after rejecting his advances at the Cannes Film Festival, where he had commented on her appearance and suggested massages. Despite finding his behavior humiliating, Haley explained that she hoped Weinstein could assist her in securing opportunities in the entertainment industry. When asked if she recognized the sexual nature of Weinstein’s advances, Haley confirmed that she did.
The defense attorney also pressed Haley about the information she shared with the media in 2017, pointing out discrepancies in her statements regarding her interactions with Weinstein. While Haley denied having spoken out with the intention of suing Weinstein, she later confirmed receiving a settlement following a lawsuit.
Weinstein, who maintains his innocence and denies the assault allegations, asserts that all encounters with his accusers were consensual and driven by professional aspirations. Haley testified that she maintained contact with Weinstein following the alleged assault at his Manhattan apartment in 2006, even traveling to Los Angeles at his expense and engaging in subsequent interactions with him.
During her testimony, Haley emphasized that her interactions with Weinstein were strictly professional and that she never sought a romantic or sexual relationship with him. Bonjean highlighted discrepancies in Haley’s public statements and questioned the timing of her decision to come forward with her accusations.
Bonjean is set to conclude her questioning of Haley before stepping away from Weinstein’s defense team to focus on another trial. In previous testimony, Haley described how Weinstein assaulted her after inviting her to his apartment under the pretense of a professional meeting, despite her protests. Following the incident, Haley confided in friends about the assault, feeling shocked and repulsed by Weinstein’s actions.
The first of Weinstein’s accusers to testify at the retrial is Haley, who is revisiting her previous testimony with added details that contributed to Weinstein’s conviction, which was later overturned in 2020. Haley, a former production assistant on the Weinstein-produced show “Project Runway,” described a mix of inappropriate and professional interactions with him during her time working with him.
During her testimony, Haley was questioned by Bonjean about how she, with limited show business experience, managed to secure a meeting with a top producer at Cannes. Haley responded by questioning whether she should have declined the opportunity, to which Bonjean clarified that he was not suggesting what she should have done.
Weinstein’s retrial involves charges related to Haley and another accuser from the original trial, Jessica Mann, who accused Weinstein of raping her in 2013. Additionally, Weinstein faces new allegations of forcing oral sex on former model Kaja Sokola in 2006. Mann and Sokola are also expected to testify in the trial.
For privacy reasons, the Associated Press typically does not disclose the names of individuals who claim to have been sexually assaulted without their consent. However, in this case, Haley, Mann, and Sokola have given permission for their names to be used.
