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New York launches civil rights investigation of Weinstein’s company over sex abuse claims

Weinstein Co facing probe over sexual harassment and assault allegations agsint co-founder Harvey Weinstein

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US film producer Harvey Weinstein, who is facing charges of sexual harassment and assault. The Weinstein Co is now facing an investigation by New York on possible civil rights violations. Photo: Agence France-Presse

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a civil rights investigation on Monday into The Weinstein Co following sexual harassment and assault allegations against its co-founder, Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

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As part of the investigation, the prosecutor’s office issued a subpoena seeking company records on harassment complaints and legal settlements to determine whether any civil rights and anti-discrimination laws were broken.

“No New Yorker should be forced to walk into a workplace ruled by sexual intimidation, harassment or fear,” said Schneiderman, a Democrat. “If sexual harassment or discrimination is pervasive at a company, we want to know.”

The New York City-based company fired Weinstein on October 8 after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades.

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More than three dozen women, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, have publicly accused the entertainment mogul of abuse. Weinstein has denied allegations of non-consensual sex.

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