A New York woman has filed a suit against fallen film producer Harvey Weinstein, alleging he sexually assaulted her in his series at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in November 2012.
The complaint filed Friday in the Los Angeles Superior Court said the woman, Hayley Gripp, now 27, was lured into Weinstein’s room by a female companion who struck a conversation with her in a lobby the hotel.
Once inside the room, Weinstein apparently assaulted sexually and attempted to rape Gripp, pushing him down, penetrating hard with his fingers, and pulling out her limbs as it rained over her body.
Gripp fought and escaped the attack and, in doing so, “caused serious injury to Weinstein’s genitals,” the suit said.
The suit alleges that the attack was made possible by Weinstein’s companion, who persuaded Gripp to meet Weinstein, who made her drink alcohol, guarded the door during the attack, and threatened to “ruin Gripp’s life” if she described what had happened.
Actor and model Gripp was 19 years old at the time of the incident. She was at the Beverly Hilton before going into a throwing job.
The anonymous Weinstein partner invited Gripp to meet with the producer and discuss the woman’s work for the Tourette Syndrome Foundation. Gripp, who has Tourette syndrome, was a youth ambassador for the group, now known as the American Tourette Association.
Gripp did not disclose the incident to anyone, saying in the suit that she was “frightened and intimidated” by Weinstein’s threats. She also feared she would be “in trouble” for fighting back.
The suit said Gripp did not understand that Weinstein was the alleged attacker until November 2018, when several allegations of sexual abuse against the producer were widely circulated, fueling the movement. #MeToo. Gripp said she was later found with a post-traumatic stress disorder, which she identified as being linked to the alleged attack.
Weinstein, 69, was convicted in February 2020 of committing criminal sexual activity and tertiary rape. He is serving a 20-year sentence for assault in 2006 against former production supporter Mimi Haley. Weinstein has to spend an additional three years in prison for raping actress Jessica Mann at a hotel in Manhattan in 2013. The sentences will run consecutively.
In October, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged a Hollywood abusive mogul with six additional sexual assault counts including two additional victims. He is accused of raping and sexually assaulting five women in LA County from 2004 to 2013.
Christa Riggins, a lawyer for Gripp, said the woman is not filing criminal charges against Weinstein, but is willing to cooperate with police if they pursue the case. Gripp wants a jury trial and seeks anonymous damages.
Imran H. Ansari, a lawyer for Weinstein, told the New York Post that his client denies Gripp ‘s allegations.
“Mr. Weinstein strongly denies the allegations made against him in the complaint arising out of the woodworking, and intends to defend strongly against litigation, ”Said Ansari.