TV anchor on Weinstein accusation: "Braver" women made it possible

As movie mogul Harvey Weinstein confronts sexual harassment allegations dating back years, a TV news anchor who lodged an explosive claim of misconduct this week said it was "only possible now" because "far braver" women had come forward.

Lauren Sivan detailed an alleged 2007 encounter with Weinstein in a HuffPost report Friday. Sivan, then working at a New York cable channel, Long Island 12, alleged that Weinstein cornered her in the hallway of a Manhattan restaurant closed to the public and masturbated in front of her.

Sivan said she had rejected an attempt by Weinstein to kiss her. "Well, can you just stand there and shut up," she claims he responded.

Sivan, who is now a reporter and host for Fox broadcast TV's Los Angeles station, Fox 11, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But she reaffirmed the HuffPost report on Twitter.

"Yeah. This happened. luckily I didn't need a job or favor from him + didn't have to be polite. Others did. Keep that in mind," she tweeted.

She then followed up with a second post on Saturday:

The allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein were detailed in a report this week by The New York Times.  Weinstein is on indefinite leave from the company he co-founded while it conducts an investigation into the claims made by women including actors Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan and stretching back years.

Meanwhile, attorney Lisa Bloom says she is no longer representing Weinstein.

"I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein," Bloom tweeted Saturday. "My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement."

Bloom didn't respond to an email request for further comment. She previously has represented victims of sexual harassment and assault. Her work with the co-chair of The Weinstein Co. drew fierce criticism online.  Bloom is the daughter of well-known Los Angeles women's rights attorney Gloria Allred.

Charles Harder, another attorney representing Weinstein, didn't immediately reply to a request for comment on the developments. A Weinstein Co. spokeswoman, Nicole Quenqua, declined to comment.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer who also was working with Weinstein, is no longer advising the producer, said a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Davis declined comment, his office said.

President Donald Trump, preparing to board a helicopter to travel from the White House to a North Carolina fundraiser on Saturday, was asked by reporters to weigh in on the embattled Hollywood figure. "I've known Harvey Weinstein a long time," Trump replied. When asked if he was surprised by the accusations, the president replied: "I'm not at all surprised to see it."

Trump brushed off a query about his 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape comments, in which he bragged about women letting him kiss them and grab their genitals because he is famous.

"That's locker room," he said, echoing his characterization of the remarks after the audio was revealed during last year's presidential campaign.