Movies

Weinstein Witness testifies that he masturbated on her

October 28, 2022

A supporting witness said Thursday that Harvey Weinstein masturbated on her in her hotel room in 2003.

Former actress Ashley Matthau, a witness to “prior wrongdoing” whose allegations are not among the 11 counts of sexual assault Weinstein faces, was visibly shaken as she took the stand. Matthau’s hand shook as she took the oath and she burst into tears before saying a single word. Matthau wiped away her tears with a tissue and breathed deeply and laboredly as she waited for Assistant District Attorney Marlene Martinez to begin her questioning.

When Martinez asked her how she was feeling, Matthau replied, “I’m really upset.”

Judge Lisa B. Lench encouraged Matthau to take a break, and she was escorted out of the courtroom.

Upon her return, Matthau testified that Weinstein masturbated and ejaculated on her at her 2003 hotel in Puerto Rico, where she was filming a small role in Miramax’s “Dirty Dancing” sequel, “Havana Nights.”

Matthau didn’t seem to want to look directly at Weinstein when asked to describe the defendant, misidentifying the color of his suit jacket as blue before correcting himself.

Matthau, who was a dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, was 22 at the time of the alleged incident. She said Weinstein came to see her on set and asked her out to talk. After commenting that she was pretty, he said he wanted a “naked massage” from her, Matthau testified. When she said, “No, I’m engaged,” he asked for the name of his fiancé – director Charlie Matthau, son of actor Walter Matthau – and claimed to know him.

Matthau said he then suggested it would be a “naked massage” between friends.

“He said he did it with Gwyneth Paltrow, ‘look what I did to his career,'” Matthau recalled.

Matthau said he later called his mother and fiancé, who advised him to seek help. But neither the choreographer nor the producer Matthau confided in offered help.

When she returned from a meal break, she said Weinstein was waiting outside the set with his assistant, Bonnie Hung.

“At that time, I felt better knowing I wasn’t alone,” she said, recalling Hung telling her not to worry. “’I will be with you all the time. He just wants to talk about future projects,” Matthau recalls.

According to Matthau, the three got into a limo and drove to Weinstein’s hotel, where Hung abandoned her when they entered his room.

Matthau started crying again on the stand and recalled Weinstein becoming aggressive as he “pushed” her on the bed and stripped her of her clothes.

“It’s not like we’re having sex, it’s just naked cuddling,” he told her as she became hysterical and started crying, Matthau said.

Matthau said he then rode her, fondled her breasts and masturbated.

” I did not know what to do. I was scared,” she said.

He ejaculated on her breasts and face, Matthau testified.

“I was really grateful that I hadn’t been raped. I remember thinking and I remember wiping myself off, getting dressed real quick and leaving real quick,” she said.

Matthau will be cross-examined by the defense on Friday, and at least one other Jane Doe and uncharged victim will speak next week.

Numerous other witnesses testified earlier in the day, including Alfred “Freddy” Baroth, Weinstein’s 18/19-year-old Limousine driver in Los Angeles; a guest at the Mr. C hotel – where Jane Doe #1 was allegedly raped – who was awakened in the middle of the night by an argument in another room; the current and former managing directors of Mr. C; and MC’s former director of safety and security.