Harvey Weinstein Is Now Working As A Paralegal…For His Own Lawyer
Benjamin Brafman calms his client (and employee?) Harvey Weinstein Image by Getty Images
In a statement so nonsensical it almost works as a palindrome, on Monday morning Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman told reporters at Weinstein’s arraignment that Weinstein is working as a paralegal for Brafman.
Steven Zeitchik, a reporter for the Washington Post who is on the scene in the courtroom and has been live-tweeting the scene at the courtroom reported: “Truly bizarre claim from Weinstein lawyer Ben Brafman outside the court: Harvey, he says, is currently working as a paralegal — to him.”
Truly bizarre claim from Weinstein lawyer Ben Brafman outside the court: Harvey, he says, is currently working as a paralegal—to him
— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikWaPo) July 9, 2018
This really is a wild statement — the 66-year-old movie mogul who has been accused of sexual misconduct by over 80 women seems like an unlikely candidate for a paralegal. Weinstein appeared in court early Monday morning to plead not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in 2006. This is Weinstein’s third arraignment following two in June, which included rape charges and a charge of a first-degree criminal sexual act. For now, Weinstein is out on $1 million bail. A request that he be put under house arrest was denied by the judge.
Zeitechik reports that Brafman also claims that Weinstein is “trying to pursue other [movie] projects.” Brafman, he says, shook hands with lawyer Gloria Allred in the courtroom.
No, you’re not imagining it — the greatest movie makers could not have envisioned stranger things.
Jenny Singer is the deputy lifestyle editor for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny
"Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief"
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
