Yashar Ali Reports New Allegation By Lauren Sivan Against Harvey Weinstein

Writing for Huff Po, Yashar Ali reports that Lauren Sivan, who at the time was a news anchor on a local cable channel in New York, Long Island 12, says that Harvey Weinstein trapped her about 10 years ago in the hallway of Socialista, a Cuban-themed club and restaurant in New York. Weinstein and Giuseppe Cipriani were investors in Socialista, when a party including Sivan left Cipriani restaurant in lower Manhattan, making their way to Socialista. 

Lauren Sivan now works as as a Fox News reporter for FOX 11 in LA. Yashar Ali broke the sexual harassment claims against Fox News anchor Eric Bolling. 

Sivan says that she told friends privately about the incident but remained quiet "because she was in a long-term relationship and fearful of the power Weinstein wielded in the media."Her version of events was confirmed by by a friend of Sivan's who was with her that night. 

Sivan reported that Weinstein took her on a tour of the restaurant, leaving her to turn to her friend, telling her to come looking for her in 10 minutes. Dismissing the limited help in a closing-down kitchen. Yashar Ali details the alleged events:

Weinstein leaned in and tried to kiss her. Sivan rejected that attempt and told him she had a long-term boyfriend. Weinstein then said to Sivan, “Well, can you just stand there and shut up.”

At this point, Weinstein and Sivan were in a vestibule between the kitchen and bathrooms. The only way for Sivan to get away from Weinstein required her to get past him and go through the kitchen. Sivan says she was trapped by Weinstein’s body and was intimidated."

Weinstein then proceeded to expose himself to Sivan and began to masturbate. Sivan said she was deeply shocked by Weinstein’s behavior and was frozen and didn’t know what to do or say. The incident in the vestibule didn’t last long. Sivan says Weinstein ejaculated quickly into a potted plant that was in the vestibule and then proceeded to zip up his pants and they walked back into the kitchen.

By the time this occurred, Sivan’s friend had grown concerned by how long Sivan was gone.

The friend began to go downstairs but was stopped by a security guard who told her she was not allowed. She says that she explained the 10-minute limit she gave to Sivan and said, “Do you mean to tell me if she’s in trouble down there, you’re not going to let me in?” The security guard agreed to let the friend down to the cafe.

Once she got downstairs, she met Sivan and Weinstein who were leaving the kitchen.

Sivan reported that Weinstein called her office the next day telling her that he "had a great time last night" and asking to see her when he returned from a foreign trip. Sivan says that she reminded him that she was in a relationship and has never spoken with him again.