Film studio executive, Harvey Weinstein, was forced out of his company Sunday, following news accusing him of decades of sexual misconduct.
A report published by The New York Times revealed accusations against Weinstein of decades-long sexual harassment. The report also claimed that the Hollywood producer has been paying off sexual harassment accusers for decades.
On Sunday, the studio's executives announced that Weinsten has been terminated from the company. Harvey's brother, Robert Weinstein, along with Lance Maerov, Tarak Ben Ammar, and Richard Koenigsberg the directors of The Weinstein Company said in a statement that they "have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately."
Following the release of the news on Thursday, the company announced on Friday that the Weinstein Company boss would take a leave of absence while an internal investigation was being conducted.
The company said they are taking the news extremely seriously and noted that all women who work for them are treated with respect and should not experience harassment or discrimination.
As news about Harvey's sexual misconduct accusations circulated, many top women celebrities expressed their reaction to the news. Academy Award winner Meryl Streep said she was appalled by the news, and called the alleged offense disgraceful and inexcusable.
"The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes," the actress said. She also noted that not everybody knew, and that Harvey was respectful with her in their working relationship.
Kate Winslet, who worked with Harvey on her 2009 film "The Reader," also released a statement regarding the news. She said the news has been deeply shocking to her, and that the women who spoke out against the producer were incredibly brave.
"The way Harvey Weinstein has treated these vulnerable, talented young women is not the way women should ever, ever deem to be acceptable or commonplace in any workplace," Winslet said in a report from Variety.
