Harvey Weinstein used properties owned by restaurant magnate Giuseppe Cipriani as a “hunting ground” for women — even going so far as to turn rooftop suites into his own personal “sex pads,” according to a report.
The movie producer is accused of committing three sexual assaults at Cipriani properties, and he’s facing another assault charge for allegedly raping a girl he met at the Cipriani Upstairs nightspot in Manhattan.
Los Angeles police are also investigating allegations from an Italian actress who claims to have been sexually assaulted by Weinstein at Cipriani’s Beverly Hills hotel, Mr. C, in 2013.
Sources told the Daily Beast that Weinstein was given free reign over the property whenever he stayed there. This included complimentary rooms and unlimited access to rooftop suites, which he used to throw parties — and lure victims, the sources said.
Weinstein would often let actresses stay in the rooms at no cost, the sources said, and then show up “late at night out of nowhere.”
“If they stay there, he had control of the women,” claimed one source, who revealed new details about what allegedly happened on the night when Weinstein allegedly raped the Italian model at Mr. C.
“He didn’t know what room she was staying in and she hadn’t even told him that she was staying at [the hotel] but somehow he got the front desk to call up [to her room] from the lobby,” the source said, noting how the woman told the receptionist that she didn’t want to see the pervy producer. “Next thing she knows Weinstein is banging on her door.”
The movie mogul “bullied his way in” — saying stuff like, “I just want to talk to you for a second, I’m going to help you” — before having his way with her, the source said.
“Once he bullies his way in he rapes her,” they told the Daily Beast. “She barely knew him.”
The website interviewed more than two dozen people who had knowledge of Cipriani and Weinstein’s relationship, some of whom knew the pair for years.
“They both liked power, money, and beautiful women,” said one source.
Weinstein accuser Lauren Sivan told the Beast that she believed Cipriani played a major role in her alleged assault at Socialista, the restaurateur’s Lower Manhattan nightspot.
“This was his hunting ground,” Sivan said. “Harvey was like let me show you around. Have you seen the restaurant downstairs?”
Sivan’s friend, who was not named, didn’t want the pair hanging out and even questioned Cipriani about Weinstein and his intentions.
“I was sitting with Giuseppe and said, ‘Listen my friend is with Harvey. What do you think? Should I go find her?” the pal recalled. “He laughed and said, ‘If it was my friend I would.’”
Weinstein allegedly cornered Sivan that night and pleasured himself in front of her.
“Just stand there and be quiet,” the producer said, according to Sivan. “He just whipped out his junk and started masturbating. I wasn’t looking and thank God it was dark.”
In response to the allegations about Cipriani’s properties being “hunting grounds” for Weinstein, a spokesman for the global hospitality said: “Like many other celebrities and movie industry figures, Mr. Weinstein has stayed at Mr. C in Los Angeles on several occasions. To our knowledge, no assault or improprieties of any kind were reported at the time of the alleged incidents. As regards any investigation by LAPD, any questions should be directed to the latter.”
Ben Brafman, Weinstein’s criminal attorney, blasted the allegations as “offensive” in a seperate statement.
“Simply put, there is no other way to address an ‘anonymous’ allegation other than to do deny it as patently false which Mr. Weinstein does,” said Brafman.
Weinstein has denied the sexual assault accusations against him since they first emerged last year in the New Yorker. He entered a not guilty plea earlier this month at his arraignment. The 66-year-old is facing up to 25 years behind bars, if convicted.
