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Harvey Weinstein denies groping model

By Danielle Haynes
Producer Harvey Weinstein denied allegations he groped a 22-year-old model last week. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Producer Harvey Weinstein denied allegations he groped a 22-year-old model last week. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK, March 31 (UPI) -- Harvey Weinstein has denied allegations he groped a 22-year-old model last weekend and is cooperating with police in the investigation, his representative said Tuesday.

Weinstein's spokesman Ken Sunshine issued a statement regarding the accusation to People.

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"We are cooperating fully with the authorities and are confident that we will be fully vindicated," he said.

The model, Ambra Battilana, told police Weinstein lured her to his office under the pretense of talking business.

"He asked if her breasts were real before touching them," the source said. "She asked him to stop and he put his hand up her skirt. He asked for a kiss, she responded 'No.' "

One law enforcement official said Weinstein and Battilana didn't know each other at the time of their meeting. After the meeting, the woman immediately contacted police.

Weinstein voluntarily went to the New York Police Department's First Precinct Saturday, where he was questioned.

"He talked for a while and at one point he stopped talking and decided to retain a lawyer," an official told the Times.

Mark Jay Heller, Battilana's lawyer, issued a statement on his website denied allegations the model is attempting to extort Weinstein.

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"I wish to state unequivocally, on behalf of the unfortunate victim, that there absolutely was no attempt of blackmail, and in fact, making such a false allegation adds insult to injury causing a duplicity of victimization," the statement said.

Investigators have referred the incident to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.

Weinstein, 63, is married and has five children.

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