New York Times Disputes Weinstein Lawyer’s Claim She Did

A New York Times spokesperson stated Friday that Donna Rotunno recorded her episode of the paper’s “The Daily” podcast on Jan. 28, in direct contradiction to what she instructed a choose in court docket.

The episode premiered Friday morning and immediately began trending on Twitter due to feedback Rotunno, a protection lawyer for Harvey Weinstein, made about sexual assault victims. During a listening to on Friday morning, Rotunno stated that she had recorded the podcast earlier than the trial choose’s Jan. 6 order that the protection staff “leave the witnesses alone” and keep away from interviews.

“The interview was taped on January 28 and aired on Feb. 7,” a spokesperson for the Times instructed TheWrap by way of e mail.

Also Read: Weinstein Lawyer Donna Rotunno Sparks Outrage by Saying She’s Never Put Herself in a ‘Position’ to Be Assaulted

“She’s calling our witnesses liars,” Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi stated after the jury was dismissed for the day Friday. “It is completely in contradiction to your order, so, Judge, we are asking for you to order the defense to cease and desist any discussion about this case.”

Rotunno replied that the interview was taped some time in the past, earlier than Judge James Burke ordered the protection staff to “leave the witnesses alone” throughout the trial’s opening day. She stated she had “no idea” it might be launched right this moment.

“I got called this morning when a friend of mine heard it,” Rotunno stated. “I have not spoken to anyone [for interviews] since we started this case.”

A rep for Weinstein instructed TheWrap, “Ms. Rotunno had no intention to misrepresent the date, as lately the days bleed together. It happened on a day when the judge ended very early. Donna Rotunno would never intentionally mislead, and never once did she talk about any individual.”

Also Read: Harvey Weinstein’s Lawyer Says Number of Accusers ‘Helps’ Mogul in Criminal Trial (Video)

During the interview, after being requested if she had even been sexually assaulted, Rotunno responded by saying she has by no means “put” herself within the “position” to be sexually assaulted.

Listeners to the New York Times’ “The Daily” used Twitter to reply, tweeting “NO ONE puts themself in that position,” and noting they audibly gasped at her feedback.

Her consumer, a former Hollywood producer who pleaded not responsible at his first indictment in August, faces 5 felony counts: two counts of predatory sexual assault, one depend of first-degree prison sexual assault, one depend of first-degree rape and one depend of third-degree.