Harvey Weinstein’s Attempt to Silence Rose McGowan & Others

In a recent article by the New Yorker, it was revealed that Harvey Weinstein employed a team of private investigators to gather information on actors and journalists who were preparing to make public allegations of s–ual harassment and assault against him.

The magazine disclosed that Weinstein engaged multiple private intelligence firms, including Kroll and Black Cube, the latter of which is affiliated with former officials from the Israeli intelligence Mossad.

The objective was to prevent the exposure of abuse allegations against Weinstein that ultimately surfaced in publications like the New York Times and The New Yorker.

These initial reports triggered a wave of accusations against Weinstein spanning decades, leading to his dismissal from his production company and igniting a national discourse on workplace s–ual misconduct.

Despite denying any claims of non-consensual s=x, Weinstein acknowledged the distress caused by his past behavior towards colleagues.

A spokesperson for Weinstein refuted the notion of targeting or suppressing individuals at any point, as stated in The New Yorker's recent coverage.

However, the spokesperson did not respond promptly to TIME's request for commentary.

Key points outlined in The New Yorker report include an investigator posing as a women's rights advocate to gather intelligence on Rose McGowan and journalists.

This individual, using the alias Diana Filip, interacted with McGowan, who accused Weinstein of rape, as well as journalists Ronan Farrow and Jodi Kantor.

Filip, identified as a former officer for the Israeli Defense Forces working for Black Cube, also contacted reporter Ben Wallace under different personas, alleging victimization by Weinstein.

Efforts were made by investigators to uncover information discrediting those accusing Weinstein and journalists covering the story.

PSOPS, a Los Angeles-based firm, supplied Weinstein with negative details about McGowan, such as sections labeled “lies/exaggerations/contradictions” and “past lovers.”

Similar reports were compiled about other accusers like Rosanna Arquette, alongside detailed profiles on journalists pursuing the narrative.

While Black Cube refrained from offering comment, PSOPS investigators and Kroll did not respond to inquiries from The New Yorker or TIME.

Additionally, one of Weinstein's attorneys endeavored to suppress a New York Times story while simultaneously representing the newspaper in a defamation lawsuit.

David Boies' law firm, a former legal counsel for Weinstein, purportedly engaged with Black Cube and provided financial support to the intelligence agency.

Despite concurrently representing the New York Times, Boies faced criticism from the publication for what they termed “intolerable conduct” and a breach of professional standards.

Weinstein exerted pressure on employees and actresses to defend him, enlisting Asia Argento, who later accused him of s–ual assault, to advocate on his behalf in December 2016.

Moreover, he instructed former staffers to contact potential accusers, a move that some found intimidating.

A spokesperson for Weinstein justified the employees' actions by citing their involvement in a book project related to Miramax.