Former Weinstein assistant slams 'morally lacking' gag order

By: The Associated Press

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 4:05 AM

LONDON (AP) Harvey Weinstein's former British assistant says a gag order she had to sign when she left his film company was "morally lacking in every way."

Zelda Perkins quit in 1998 along with a colleague who accused the movie mogul of trying to rape her. Each received a 125,000-pound ($177,000) settlement and signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Perkins told a committee of British lawmakers on Wednesday that she felt "defrauded" by the agreement, which contained clauses intended to stop Weinstein from sexually harassing or abusing staff.

The agreement committed Weinstein to attend therapy and required the company to act if he made any more payouts over alleged wrongdoing.

Multiple women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault. He denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex.

Former Weinstein assistant slams 'morally lacking' gag order

Zelda Perkins poses for a portrait prior to testifying before British lawmakers investigating workplace sexual harassment in London, Wednesday, March 28, 2018.Harvey Weinstein's former assistant says she tried to prevent him abusing women almost two decades ago, making him sign a legal agreement that required him to seek therapy and mend his ways. Zelda Perkins quit Weinstein's film company in 1998, along with a colleague who accused the movie mogul of trying to rape her. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The Associated Press

Zelda Perkins poses for a portrait prior to testifying before British lawmakers investigating workplace sexual harassment in London, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Harvey Weinstein's former assistant says she tried to prevent him abusing women almost two decades ago, making him sign a legal agreement that required him to seek therapy and mend his ways. Zelda Perkins quit Weinstein's film company in 1998, along with a colleague who accused the movie mogul of trying to rape her. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The Associated Press

Zelda Perkins poses for a portrait prior to testifying before British lawmakers investigating workplace sexual harassment in London, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Harvey Weinstein's former assistant says she tried to prevent him abusing women almost two decades ago, making him sign a legal agreement that required him to seek therapy and mend his ways. Zelda Perkins quit Weinstein's film company in 1998, along with a colleague who accused the movie mogul of trying to rape her. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The Associated Press

Zelda Perkins poses for a portrait prior to testifying before British lawmakers investigating workplace sexual harassment in London, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Harvey Weinstein's former assistant says she tried to prevent him abusing women almost two decades ago, making him sign a legal agreement that required him to seek therapy and mend his ways. Zelda Perkins quit Weinstein's film company in 1998, along with a colleague who accused the movie mogul of trying to rape her. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The Associated Press

Zelda Perkins poses for a portrait prior to testifying before British lawmakers investigating workplace sexual harassment in London, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Harvey Weinstein's former assistant says she tried to prevent him abusing women almost two decades ago, making him sign a legal agreement that required him to seek therapy and mend his ways. Zelda Perkins quit Weinstein's film company in 1998, along with a colleague who accused the movie mogul of trying to rape her. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The Associated Press

FILE- In this Feb. 9, 2015 file photo Harvey Weinstein speaks during a press conference for the film "Woman in Gold" at the 2015 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin. Weinstein's former assistant Zelda Perkins said during an interview with The Associated Press Tuesday March 27, 2018, she tried to stop him abusing women two decades ago, making him sign a legal agreement that required him to seek therapy and mend his ways. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, FILE)

The Associated Press