‘I was scared’: Former actress Ashley Matthau testifies Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her

Former American producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein made headlines recently when a witness testified against him, saying the 70-year-old masturbated on her inside a hotel room in 2003. The testimony came in a hearing on Thursday, October 27, by an ex-actress Ashley Matthau, who looked “visibly rattled” taking the stand, reported Variety.

As per reports, Matthau’s hands looked to be shaking when she was sworn in before she started crying without saying anything. She used a tissue to wipe her tears before Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez began the questioning.

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Harvey Weinstein is facing 11 counts of sexual assault charges and is serving a 23-years prison sentence in New York currently.

Matthau stated that she was “really upset” when the Deputy District Attorney asked her how she was feeling. She was told to take a break by Judge Lisa B Lench before she was escorted out of the courtroom.

When she returned, Matthau delivered her testimony, saying Weinstein masturbated on her inside his hotel room in 2003 in Puerto Rico. She also added that she was there at the time shooting for a role for the 2004 film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

The former actress was 22-year-old at the time and was also a dancer with the American Ballet Theatre when the alleged incident took place. According to her, Weinstein visited the set and asked to speak with her outside. He went on to comment that she was pretty before allegedly saying that he wanted a “naked massage” from her.

Matthau claimed that she told him that he was engaged, at which point Weinstein enquired about her fiance’s name, Charlie Matthau. Upon hearing his name, Weinstein said he knew him and made a suggestion that the act will be between friends.

“He said he did it with Gwyneth Paltrow. ‘Look what I did to her career,’” Matthau reminisced.

The actress said that her mother and fiance asked her to call for help but the choreographer or producer, whom she had confided in, did not help her. After that, she came to find Weinstein waiting for her in front of the set with his assistant Bonnie Hung.

As per Matthau, Hung asked her not to worry, before the trio went to a hotel to speak about future projects and the assistant left the two alone inside the room.

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At this point, the former actress began crying once again on the stand, saying Weinstein pushed her onto the bed and took off the clothes she was wearing. She also described the acts Weinstein committed after it, before saying he masturbated on her.

“I had no idea what to do. I was scared,” she stated as she testified that Weinstein ejaculated on her breasts and face before she got dressed and left.

Mark Werksman, the lawyer who represented Weinstein, cross-examined Matthau the next day, October 28.