Harvey Weinstein allegedly masturbated in front of a waitress at Cipriani Upstairs in 2005.
The disgraced producer is currently on trial in Manhattan for charges related to sexual assault, and on Wednesday (29.01.20), jurors heard testimony from Tarale Wulff, who alleged Weinstein masturbated in front of her whilst she was working as a waitress at the members-only hotspot in Soho.
Tarale testified she had just brought Weinstein, 67, a drink when he suddenly whisked her away to an isolated area of Cipriani Upstairs, the VIP area of Italian restaurant Cipriani.
She told jurors at Manhattan Supreme Court: "He had asked what I did and I said I was an actor. He said that you have a great look, you should come talk to my people."
Tarale alleges Weinstein didn’t speak as he led her to an unused terrace area, where he then guided her to stand in front of him.
She said: "Once he had me in front of him, at some point, I said I have to get back to work and he said, ‘One sec, one sec,’ and I noticed that his shirt started moving … and I realised he was masturbating under his shirt.
"I just froze for a second, then I just threw the towel and ran passed him."
Tarale, 43, is one of three women allowed to testify against Weinstein in his ongoing trial, which has seen Annabella Sciorra and Mimi Haleyi also tell the court about the producer’s alleged actions.
Weinstein is currently facing five charges relating to sexual assault, including two counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of rape and one count of criminal sex act.
He has denied all allegations against him.