Harvey Weinstein Accuser Miriam Haley Tells Jury of 2006 Assault: ‘I Just Decided to Check Out and Endure It’

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On Wednesday, Miriam Haley found herself choking back sobs as she recounted the instant she understood that Harvey Weinstein was preparing to sexually attack her.

“I just decided to check out and endure it,” she said.

In the recent court proceedings for Harvey Weinstein’s retrial in Manhattan, it was the ex-TV production assistant who was the first of three witnesses to speak up. She had previously testified during his initial trial five years ago, and she claimed that Weinstein assaulted her at his SoHo apartment on July 10, 2006 – an event she recounted in her testimony.

Before their meeting, Weinstein had extended an invitation for her to join him at the “Clerks II” premiere in Los Angeles, which she agreed to attend. Later, he asked her to drop by his apartment and she consented, stating that it seemed uncomfortable to decline after having accepted the premiere invitation previously.

According to Haley, when a driver hired by Weinstein dropped her off and guided her to the hallway of his SoHo apartment, he departed, leaving her alone inside. While they were seated on a couch with Weinstein, he unexpectedly lunged towards her, attempting to force a kiss upon her. She resisted, but he kept insisting, overwhelming her with his advances. Haley stated that he then utilized his body to maneuver her towards a dark bedroom and a bed.

“He was grabbing me and touching me,” she said, adding that she was “trying to get him off me.”

Instead, Haley explained that Weinstein persistently tried to push her onto the bed. Struggling against him, she grew increasingly afraid that his actions could escalate into violence, leaving her with little hope for escape.

“I realized that I’m getting raped,” she thought in that moment.

As stated by Haley, she informed Weinstein about being on her menstrual cycle and using a tampon. She went on to say that he removed her tampon and forcibly performed oral sex on her against her will.

Haley expressed shock and embarrassment throughout the incident, stating that she didn’t want anyone to kiss or touch her private area because she wasn’t prepared and was menstruating at the time. She made it clear that Weinstein was definitely not the person she wanted in that situation.

Later on, I shared with my roommate back then, Elizabeth Entin, the events that unfolded at Harvey Weinstein’s apartment. She responded, “It seems like an instance of rape.” I found myself in a predicament, struggling with what course of action to take next.

The next day, Haley chose not to go to the “Clerks II” premiere, as she expressed her discomfort following the reported incident. “I was still figuring out my emotions and what I could do about it,” she stated.

On Tuesday, Haley stepped up to testify and shared her initial encounter with Weinstein, which occurred at the 2004 London premiere of “The Aviator”. It was her friend, the late producer of “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, Michael White, who introduced them. She mentioned that Weinstein playfully suggested naming his next business after her, but later explained that his mother’s name was also Miriam (as Miramax is a combination of Weinstein’s parents’ names).

Apart from the reported attack in 2006, she detailed numerous encounters with Weinstein preceding that incident, such as one which occurred in a French hotel room following their reunion at Cannes Film Festival. Haley stated that her intention for this meeting was to discuss prospective job prospects in New York City.

Earlier, when the prosecutor inquired if there was any romantic or sexual attraction towards Weinstein, Haley clearly stated, “No, I wasn’t interested.

Instead of discussing work-related topics, Weinstein shifted the conversation to other subjects. As Haley recounts, he made comments about her legs and inquired if she could provide him with a massage.

“I felt taken aback. I felt humiliated,” she said.

Although he was turned down, Haley still managed to secure a position as a production assistant for “Project Runway” in 2006, a show that Weinstein was producing.

Following the conclusion of the third season of the reality competition series, she encountered Weinstein for a discussion at the hotel lobby bar in Manhattan around late June – approximately a month before the alleged sexual assault incident. During this conversation, they touched upon her role as a production assistant on “Project Runway.” As stated by Haley, Weinstein suggested composing a letter to support her visa extension application, since she was not an American citizen at the time.

During the meeting, when the prosecutor questioned if Weinstein had behaved in a way that made her feel uneasy, Haley replied negatively, characterizing him as both respectful and charming. Yet, she clarified that she wasn’t flirting with Weinstein, and their interaction did not develop into anything romantic. Instead, Haley stated that she was seeking employment opportunities.

Weinstein faces accusations of performing a severe sexual act as a felony against Haley. However, he has entered a plea of innocence.

Haley’s attorney, Gloria Allred, sat in the court gallery on Tuesday to watch the testimony.

In 2020, I, a once-respected figure in the film industry, faced charges for sexually abusing Haley and actress Jessica Mann. At my initial trial, I was found guilty. However, those verdicts were later reversed.

On Thursdays back in 2006, two close acquaintances of Haley – Entin and Christine Pressman – declared they were informed by Haley about an incident involving Weinstein, which she claimed was an assault, shortly following the occurrence.

He sexually assaulted my friend, and it’s made me extremely upset,” Entin expressed during his cross-examination by the defense.

In the autumn or winter of 2006, after listening to Haley’s account, I cautioned her against reaching out to authorities. I explained, “Harvey Weinstein is a towering figure in New York, with immense power; you are not. Perhaps it would be best to let this matter rest.

Apart from the charge concerning Haley, Weinstein is also accused of a first-degree criminal sexual act and a third-degree rape. He has pleaded not guilty to these additional charges too.

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2025-04-30 19:47