Weinstein, Miramax, TWC Face RICO Suit Calling Them 'The Weinstein Sexual Enterprise'

Add this to the growing list of legal problems facing Harvey Weinstein, The Weinstein Co. and Miramax: Lawyers at Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro and The Armenta Law Firm filed a federal racketeering class action against Weinstein, the production company and the studio Wednesday alleging they conspired “to facilitate and conceal [Weinstein's] pattern of unwanted sexual conduct.”

The firms filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of a Jane Doe plaintiff who claims Weinstein threatened her and falsely imprisoned her after she refused his advances after being brought in to audition for a Miramax production. They're seeking to certify a class of all women who met with Weinstein in person to audition or to discuss involvement in a project to be produced or distributed by Miramax or TWC.

“Plaintiff, and hundreds of other female actors like her, found themselves with Weinstein on the casting couch at offices, in hotel rooms, or at rooms at industry functions,” the lawyers wrote. “Weinstein's widespread sexual misconduct did not occur without the help of others. Rather, over time, Weinstein enlisted the aid of other firms and individuals to facilitate and conceal his pattern of unwanted sexual conduct.”