New York Times details Harvey Weinstein settlements, threats and powerful silencing machine

In a new exposé, The New York Times has issued a lengthy report of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's business and social relationships, dealings and the "machine" that allowed him to commit numerous alleged acts of sexual harassment, assault and misconduct with little to no repercussion for decades. The wide-ranging piece was written by Megan Twohey, Jodi Kantor, Susan Dominus, Jim Rutenberg and Steve Eder. Twohey and Kantor were also the authors of the explosive Oct. 5 report on Weinstein that sparked several more pieces regarding the allegations against him.

The Times details Weinstein's relationship with David J. Pecker, chief executive of American Media Inc., which owns The National Enquirer. Earlier Tuesday, top Enquirer editor Dylan Howard was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. The piece reports that Weinstein's close relationship with Pecker earned him an "untouchable" status enjoyed by a privileged few (referred to as "F.O.P", or "friend of pecker") that includes President Donald Trump. Weinstein developed relationships with reporters by offering them close access to stars and book deals. Weinstein went as far as to pay one gossip writer to gather dirt on celebrities that he could later use to barter if other reporters came across an affair Weinstein was trying to keep quiet.

According to the new report, Weinstein attempted to stop Rose McGowan, who has since accused the disgraced producer publicly of rape, from writing a memoir by trying to arrange a $50,000 payment to McGowan's former manager. He also tried to reach McGowan's literary agent, who replied via email: "No one understands smart, intellectual and commercial like HW."

Newly unearthed emails from September show Weinstein was discussing a documentary TV series with Hillary Clinton, of whose 2016 presidential campaign Weinstein was a big-time donor and supporter. Former Vanity Fair editor and Daily Beast founder Tina Brown and Lena Dunham both told the Times they had warned Clinton's aides about Weinstein's treatment of women. When Weinstein discussed distribution rights for the potential docuseries, Clinton's lawyer, Robert Barnett, replied, "I am hopeful we can get a good price for this."

Shortly thereafter, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos took a call from Weinstein while on vacation in Hawaii. Discussing an investigative report by the Wall Street Journal at the time into Bezos' company, Weinstein recommended Bezos hire some of the producer's own team, including a particular libel lawyer who Weinstein said, "makes sure everyone sticks to the right narrative."

He also used his powerful connections as threats to those who may speak out against him. "I know the president of the United States. Who do you know?" he would reportedly say during the Obama era. "I'm Harvey Weinstein," he would tell people. "You know what I can do."

In response to this latest article, Weinstein's spokesperson refuted any claims of "inappropriate advances" on Weinstein's part.

Weinstein is currently being investigated in New York, Los Angeles and London. His accusers currently number over 70.