Michael Douglas Denies Accusation of Harassment and Masturbation

In the wake of the groundbreaking journalism that exposed s**ual harassment and assault allegations against powerful Hollywood figures, Michael Douglas finds himself at the center of controversy.

The actor and producer, known for his illustrious 50-year career and two Oscars, has been accused of masturbating in front of a former employee.

Tired of waiting for a potentially damaging exposé, Douglas has decided to take control of the narrative by preemptively denying the accusations.

Douglas expressed discomfort with the current trend of “She Said, He's Gone” stories in which men are immediately vilified without concrete evidence.

He revealed that The Hollywood Reporter and Variety had approached him about publishing allegations from an employee who claims something happened over 30 years ago, allegations he vehemently denies.

Wanting to set the record straight and have some control over his story, Douglas chose to speak out about the accusations to Deadline.

The alleged incident involves a former employee who accused Douglas of using colorful language in front of her, engaging in raunchy conversations on the phone, blackballing her from the industry, and masturbating in front of her.

Douglas admitted to using colorful language and apologized if it offended her.

However, he strongly denied the other allegations, stating that he had no recollection of such events taking place.

Douglas emphasized the lack of corroboration for the accusations, pointing out that the woman in question had mentioned his name in her blogs and may be seeking a book deal.

He expressed concern about the potential impact on his reputation and career, as well as the broader implications for the #MeToo movement.

Douglas maintained his support for the movement but stressed the importance of due process and caution when accusing or being accused.

When asked about the possibility of more women coming forward with similar allegations, Douglas stated that he had not received any other complaints and believed the accusations were isolated.

He also criticized the handling of the story by The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting the lack of evidence and the potential harm caused by such reporting.

Douglas acknowledged the pain and courage of those who have spoken out against s**ual harassment and assault, but he felt that this particular accusation did not fit that narrative.

He expressed confusion and hurt over the timing and nature of the allegations and emphasized the need for careful consideration when dealing with such sensitive matters.

In conclusion, Douglas chose to come forward preemptively to share his side of the story and regain control over the narrative.

He expressed gratitude for the support of his family and business associates and hoped that his career would not be defined by these allegations.