NY Atty. General launches investigation of Weinstein Co.

Los Angeles [USA], October 24 (ANI): Following the sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has launched a civil rights investigation on Monday into Weinstein Company.

The state's top prosecutor issued a subpoena as part of an investigation into whether officials at the New York-based film and television company violated state civil rights and New York City human rights laws.

"No New Yorker should be forced to walk into a workplace ruled by sexual intimidation, harassment, or fear," Scheiderman said in a statement, as quoted by Los Angeles Times. "If sexual harassment or discrimination is pervasive at a company, we want to know."

The attorney general's subpoena is seeking all documents related to complaints of sexual harassment and other types of discrimination against employees, said a person familiar with the probe not authorized to comment.

The report further said that the probe is also looking for all records of how such complaints were handled by the company, and all documents concerning settlements. In addition, it is seeking the company's records related to hiring and casting criteria.

This move comes about two weeks after Weinstein Co. fired its namesake co-chairman, following the sexual harassment allegations against him.

Weinstein, however, has "unequivocally denied" allegations of non-consensual sex, according to his representative. (ANI)