Ambra Gutierrez seeks investigation into NYPD and DA for alleged cover-up related to Weinstein case.
A lawyer representing Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez has urged federal prosecutors in Manhattan to investigate a perceived “coverup” regarding the 2015 allegations she made against Harvey Weinstein for groping her in his Tribeca office. This call to action comes after Gutierrez’s claims were dismissed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Her attorney, Sarena Townsend, contends that influential individuals intervened to protect Weinstein, ultimately undermining a case that she argues had strong evidence from the outset.
According to Townsend, the New York Police Department (NYPD) had gathered sufficient evidence within 24 hours of Gutierrez’s initial report. However, higher-ranking officials allegedly intervened, hindering the investigation. Townsend, a former prosecutor in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s sex crimes unit, asserts that law enforcement exaggerated unrelated aspects of Gutierrez’s life while dismissing the evidence that could have led to Weinstein’s arrest.
In her 11-page letter addressed to Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, Townsend alleges that former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who represented Weinstein, utilized his connections with then-NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton and Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce to obstruct the case. The letter claims that the Manhattan DA’s sex crimes chief initially authorized an arrest of Weinstein but reversed that decision mere hours later, yielding to external pressures.
The dramatic events surrounding Gutierrez’s allegations unfolded more than two years prior to the exposure of Weinstein’s ongoing sexual misconduct by The New York Times and The New Yorker. Osgood, who led the investigation, believes the case was a significant missed opportunity for appropriate legal action against Weinstein at that time.
Gutierrez described the lasting impact of the case on her life and career, stating that it has been challenging to restore her reputation after her allegations were dismissed. She recounted details of the encounter, which included Weinstein’s inappropriate advances and physical touch, and stated that she acted promptly by reporting the incident to the authorities.
Throughout the investigation, Gutierrez’s distress was observed by multiple police officers. Notably, recordings obtained during a controlled meeting between Gutierrez and Weinstein captured him making incriminating statements. Despite the evidence collected, momentum shifted abruptly when higher-ranking officials ordered that no arrest be made.
The ensuing months were fraught with scrutiny, as both the DA’s office and the NYPD conducted separate investigations into Gutierrez’s credibility rather than pursuing an arrest. Ultimately, the DA’s office declined to charge Weinstein, a decision that nonetheless garnered public speculation regarding potential influence from Weinstein’s legal team.
As the narrative of abuse began to unfold in the media, Gutierrez eventually received a settlement from Weinstein in exchange for signing a nondisclosure agreement. The case was reopened following the publicity of Weinstein’s predation, leading to his eventual conviction in 2020, although this status was later challenged.
The Gutierrez case serves as a critical focal point in understanding the complexities and failures of the legal system in addressing sexual misconduct in high-profile cases. As investigations continue and voices around this issue persist, the demand for accountability in such cases remains pressing.
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