A woman who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct has also accused late Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes of harassment.
Former Fox News reporter Lauren Sivan said the incident with Ailes occurred when she started working at the cable channel in her first job out of college.
In a first person account in The Hollywood Reporter, Sivan detailed how Ailes would allegedly ask her to come into his office and sit on his lap so he could feel her diaphragm as she spoke.
Former Fox News reporter Lauren Sivan (pictured, November 2017), who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, has also accused late Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes of harassment
Sivan (pictured, November 2017) revealed that Ailes would often tell female talent that their skirts were too long or to change into high heels but that she considered it just part of the aesthetic of working on television
Ailes (pictured, November 2012) would allegedly have Sivan sit on his lap to feel her diaphragm so he could make sure she was projecting properly
Sivan claimed Ailes would often tell female talent that their skirts were too long or to change into high heels but that she considered it just part of the ‘aesthetic’ of working on television.
‘What’s not normal is when Roger made you, as on-air talent, twirl for him, to see how you look from behind. He’d be lying on his office couch, feet up. I remember he had me sit on his lap,’ Sivan said.
‘He didn’t think I was projecting my voice properly and wanted to feel my diaphragm. I knew this was not OK. But all the women there who wanted a career walked this fine line with Roger.’
Sivan told the Huffington Post that Weinstein once trapped her in the hallway of a restaurant during a private event and masturbated in front of her until he ejaculated.
‘Well, can you just stand there and shut up,’ Weinstein allegedly told the anchor before he carried out his sex act.
Sivan’s accusations came just one day after The New York Times published a bombshell story on October 5 detailing the influential producer’s decades long pattern of allegedly harassing women.
Sivan claims the incident happened more than a decade ago, when she was an anchor on Long Island 12, a local news broadcast.
Sivan (pictured, October 2017) told the Huffington Post that Harvey Weinstein once trapped her in the hallway of a restaurant during a private event and masturbated in front of her until he ejaculated
‘Well, can you just stand there and shut up,’ Weinstein (pictured, May 2017) allegedly told the anchor before he carried out his sex act at Manhattan nightclub called Socialista in 2007
The former TV journalist said she remained silent over the years out of fear of retaliation due to Weinstein’s clout in the media industry.
According to Sivan, the incident occurred at a Manhattan nightclub called Socialista, connected to the well-known Italian restaurant Cipriani, in 2007.
While partying with a friend and restaurant owner Giuseppe Cipriani, Weinstein offered the journalist a tour of the facilities.
Sivan said she reluctantly accepted the offer, with her friend remarking that if she wasn’t back in 10 minutes she would come get her.
Once in the kitchen of the restaurant, Weinstein allegedly attempted to kiss Sivan, which she rejected explaining that she was in a long-term relationship.
Sivan (pictured, November 2017) said Weinstein offered her a tour of the facilities which she reluctantly accepted and then tried to kiss her
After she rejected, explaining that she was in a long-term relationship, Sivan (pictured, November 2017) claims that Weinstein exposed himself and began masturbating
At that point, Sivan claims that Weinstein exposed himself and began masturbating.
Weinstein quickly ejaculated into a potted plant near the vestibule leading to the kitchen, according to Sivan, and returned back to the nightclub after cleaning up.
Sivan’s friend, who wished to remain anonymous, reiterated the details of the night to the Huffington Post, who was told about the incident immediately after the two left the club.
The next day, Weinstein called Sivan on the phone to ask if she wanted to get together after he returned from overseas, adding that he ‘had a great time last night’, she said.
Sivan quickly ended the phone conversation, reminding Weinstein that she had a boyfriend. She has not interacted with the movie mogul since.