Head of WME’s motion picture group, Adam Venit, has been placed on leave while the agency investigates an allegation of sexual harassment, according to multiple reports.
“Brooklyn Nine Nine” star Terry Crews — who is a client of WME — said on social media last month that he had been “groped” at a Hollywood function last year by a “high level Hollywood executive.”
“My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates,” Crews tweeted. He later added in his thread: “I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator.”
Sources told Variety that Crews has been preparing to name Venit as his harasser.
Crews’ revelation came five days after several women told the New York Times that producer Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them, and just days after a subsequent report in The New Yorker in which three women accused Weinstein of rape. Since then, more than 90 accusers have come forward against Weinstein. Accuser Asia Argento tweeted out a list of 93 women who have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault or rape, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rose McGowan. As of October 30, 14 have alleged rape against the producer, Argento said in her tweet.
The accusations against Weinstein have inspired a flood of accusations against other men in Hollywood as well, including Brett Ratner and Dustin Hoffman, who are represented by Venit. Actor and producer Kevin Spacey was recently dropped by his publicist Staci Wolfe and talent agency CAA after several accusations against him of sexual harassment and assault.
Venit also represents prominent figures like Emma Stone, Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone and several more.
Variety first reported this story.