British actress sues Harvey Weinstein in New York alleging sex trafficking

[November 28, 2017]  (Reuters) - An aspiring British actress sued Harvey Weinstein in New York federal court on Monday accusing the movie producer of sex trafficking by inviting her to a hotel room in France and sexually assaulting her.

The civil lawsuit filed by Kadian Noble in U.S. District Court in New York accused Weinstein of violating a U.S. federal sex trafficking law in February 2014 in Cannes, France.

The lawsuit alleged that Weinstein "was able to force or coerce Kadian into sexual activity in his hotel room because of his promise to her of a film role and use of his influence on her behalf."

Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, said on Monday in an emailed statement, "Mr. Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex."

"Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances," Baird said.

Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations.

In the same lawsuit, Noble also sued the Weinstein Company and Weinstein's brother Bob, accusing them of being aware of Harvey Weinstein's behavior.

Officials with the Weinstein Company, headed by Bob Weinstein, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Harvey Weinstein speaks at the UBS 40th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, NY, U.S. on December 5, 2012. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

The sex trafficking law has a 10-year statute of limitation.

More than 50 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing or assaulting them over the past three decades.

In the fallout from the accusations, Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Co, the independent studio he co-founded in 2005 with his brother Bob, and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault that have been made against Weinstein.

Also on Monday, the Directors Guild of America said in a statement that Weinstein resigned from the organization.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Toni Reinhold)

[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.