The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has expelled Harvey Weinstein, vowing that the era of "shameful complicity in sexually predatory behaviour" in the movie industry was over.
AFP
An emergency meeting of its 54-member board of governors, which includes stars such as Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg and Laura Dern, voted "well in excess of the required two-thirds majority," it said in a statement.
"We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behaviour and workplace harassment in our industry is over," the statement read.
An avalanche of sexual harassment, assault and rape accusations against Weinstein have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive New York Times report alleging a history of abusive behaviour by the Hollywood mogul dating back decades.
As Weinstein's expulsion was announced, the London-based Sunday Times reported on a fifth alleged rape victim, British actress Lysette Anthony, who was said to have reported the 65-year-old to the Metropolitan Police last week.
Anthony, 54, who appeared in Woody Allen's 1992 film "Husbands and Wives," told The Times that Weinstein attacked her in the 1980s.
On Thursday, American actress Rose McGowan became the fourth woman to accuse the 65-year-old of raping her.
"What's at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society," said the Academy, which organizes the Oscars.
"The board continues to work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all Academy members will be expected to exemplify."
Since the outbreak of the scandal, more than two dozen actresses including Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Lea Seydoux have come forward saying they were sexually harassed by the producer.
Some of the most recent allegations involved the former Bond Girl Eva Green, whose mother told French radio Weinstein had harassed her daughter for months, and British actress Alice Evans, who penned an essay for The Telegraph claiming she had rejected his advances, and believes it may have harmed her career.
Weinstein has not been seen in public since paparazzi descended upon him as he left his daughter's home in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Celebrity gossip portal TMZ reported that Weinstein later flew to rehab in Arizona, possibly at The Meadows, a facility near Phoenix where golfer Tiger Woods and supermodel Kate Moss have been treated.
Meanwhile the producer's wife, English fashion designer Georgina Chapman, has said she plans to divorce him.
