This week marked a guilty verdict for Harvey Weinstein in his New York rape trial, which could potentially submit him to spending the rest of his life in prison.
However, this does not mark the end of what essentially sparked the #MeToo movement as it is now being reported that the Weinstein Company was aware of payments that were made to women who had complained about sexual harassment. The allegations argue that payments date back to 2015.
H. Rudgin Cohen, a lawyer, is accused of trying to cover up for Weinstein, and Weinstein’s brother, Bob Weinstein, held a video conference with concerned employees saying that he was unaware and shocked at the accusations that the company had paid off women for their silence after experience inappropriate behavior such as unwanted touching and sexual harassment in the workplace.
The earliest case, dated 2014, concerns Emily Nestor, a former temporary employee.
Harvey Weinstein had invited her to breakfast at the Peninsula Beverly Hills and he offered her a job position but only if she accepted his sexual advances. It’s reported that she declined the offer and that she did not intend on complaining about his advances to human resources.
It is also reported that Cohen’s son was also working for Harvey Weinstein at the time, so the question of whether or not they were enabling Weinstein is now being debated.
Like Weinstein, Cohen is a prominent Democrat who has donated to many campaigns, which includes Joe Kennedy, Doug Jones, Tina Smith and Theresa Greenfield.
One of the most glaring donations Cohen has made was to MJ Hegar, the leading Democratic Senatorial candidate in Texas, who is all-but assured of moving on to a run-off election slated for May 22.
If Hegar wins her primary race, she will then face off with Senator John Cornyn (R) in November.
Here is a list of some more of Cohen's political donations:
- $5,000 to Gary Peters
- $5,000 to Doug Jones
- $5,000 to Teresa Tomlinson
- $3,600 to Tina Smith
- $2,500 to Theresa Greenfield
- $2,500 to Sara Gideon
- $2,800 to Amy McGrath
- $5,200 to Joe Kennedy
- $5,600 to Mark Warner
