Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein was recently convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Documents from his court case have been unsealed, including various emails sent out by Weinstein and his team that contained worrisome messages.
TW: this article contains depictions or discussions of sexual assault/harassment and may be triggering to some readers.
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One of these emails pertained to a story that was potentially going to be run by the ‘National Enquirer’.
According to the documents , a former PR representative of Weinstein’s had forwarded him an email from the National Enquirer with the note, “Jennifer Aniston.”
The story, which was never published by the ‘Enquirer’ and never corroborated, stated that Aniston would be claiming she had been assaulted by Weinstein.
The email claimed that a friend of Aniston had told the Enquirer that the actress alleged she had been groped by Weinstein and that “Through the years he would frequently stare at her cleavage/breast[s] and move his mouth around making Jennifer uncomfortable.”
The email from the ‘Enquirer’ laid out claims from a reported friend of Aniston’s.
“Jennifer confided to a friend that during the production of the 2005 movie Derailed , Weinstein sexually assaulted her by pressing up against her back in [sic] grabbing her buttocks,” the email claimed.
The email also alleged they had direct quotes from sources Aniston had spoken to.
“We also quote a source close to Jennifer who tells [us]: ‘Harvey was infatuated with Jennifer Aniston — He had a massive crush on her and constantly talked about how hot she was,'” the Enquirer claimed.
Weinstein’s response to this email was blunt: “Jen Aniston should be killed.”
These emails and documents were made public before Weinstein’s sentencing, according to The Hollywood Reporter . At his sentencing, Weinstein claimed he felt “remorse for this situation. I feel it deeply in my heart.”
“I have great remorse for all of you. I have great remorse for all women,” he said.
Weinstein was sentenced on Wednesday to 23 years in prison, although he is still awaiting trial for charges laid against him in Los Angeles.
Weinstein’s defense had previously asked for the minimum sentence of five years.
“His fall from grace has been historic, perhaps unmatched in the age of social media,” they wrote in a letter to the judge. They also cited Weinstein’s poor health and advanced age meant any sentence above five years “is likely to constitute a de facto life sentence.”
However, the prosecution asked for a sentence that “reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s offenses.”
The prosecution cited a “lifetime of abuse towards others, sexual and otherwise,” in their request, and stated that “Starting in the 1970s, he has trapped women into his exclusive control and assaulted or attempted to assault them.”
Aniston has not yet responded to the release of the email.
It is also unclear at this time whether the claims made by the National Enquirer in the emails forwarded to Harvey Weinstein were actually made by Aniston, regardless of Weinstein’s response.
Other celebrities have been reacting to the news of Weinstein’s sentencing, however, including Aniston’s close friend Reese Witherspoon.
In a series of tweets , Reese wrote, “A historical moment today. I am so appreciative of the women and men who spoke up about the abuse and harassment they suffered at the hands of Harvey Weinstein.”
Reese explained that this case gave her renewed hope.
“This gives me renewed hope in the US justice system that due process works, survivors will be believed, and justice will be served,” she wrote.
Reese extended her gratitude to journalists and survivors who spoke.
“Thank you to all of the journalists and publications who persisted in telling survivors [sic] stories, despite constant pushback and threats, and brought this story to the light,” she wrote.
Other celebrities, including one of Weinstein’s first accusers, Mira Sorvino, have also tweeted about the incident.
Patricia Arquette also tweeted , writing, “Thank you @RoArquette @rosemcgowan @MiraSorvino and all the Whistleblowers in the Weinstein case who put their careers and reputations at risk to help clear the way to know the horrible acts Harvey has done. Thank you to all the brave victims. @RonanFarrow.”
Actress and activist Jameela Jamil also tweeted in support of the victims.
“Don’t forget he still has this trial in Los Angeles where he can get up to 16 years. Get used to those handcuffs, Harv,” tweeted former FOX News reporter and subject of the film Bombshell , Gretchen Carlson.
Weinstein’s second trial has not yet begun.
