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Harvey Weinstein's assistant files lawsuit, alleges 'sexually hostile' environment

Sandeep Rehal said she suffers from 'severe emotional distress' because of 'incessant sexual harassment' she endured while working for the former movie mogul.
/ Source: The Associated Press

A former personal assistant for Harvey Weinstein says she was forced to clean up messes from his sexual encounters and take dictation from him while he was naked, according to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday.

Sandeep Rehal said she suffers from "severe emotional distress" because of "incessant sexual harassment" she endured working as the movie mogul's assistant from February 2013 to February 2015. She called her work environment "sexually hostile," and said she was subjected to unwanted touching by Weinstein.

Weinstein spokeswoman Holly Baird said Weinstein "categorically denies these claims." She said Weinstein's lawyers "will respond in the appropriate legal forum with evidence proving they are untrue."

According to the lawsuit, Rehal had to manage Weinstein's supply of injectable erectile dysfunction drugs, clean semen off his office couch and pick up used condoms. She maintained Weinstein's list of contacts and had to use an asterisk to identify his sexual partners, the suit says.

Her degrading treatment constituted illegal sex discrimination, Rehal alleges in the suit.

"To say Weinstein's behavior was harmful, tawdry, demeaning and offensive is an understatement," said Genie Harrison, an attorney for Rehal.

Related: Since Weinstein, here's a growing list of men accused of sexual misconduct

The suit also names as defendants Weinstein's brother, Bob Weinstein, human resources head Frank Gil and the Weinstein Co.

Dozens of other women, including well-known actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault.

Weinstein has denied all allegations that he engaged in non-consensual sex with women, and no criminal charges have been brought against him.

"Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein," a spokeswoman for Weinstein has said in a statement.