Top Hollywood talent Adam Venit, head of WME’s Motion Picture Group, has been placed on a leave of absence from the company pending an investigation into sexual harassment allegations brought forth last month by actor Terry Crews, Variety reports.
Crews, who is represented by WME, revealed shocking details in a series of tweets that he was groped by a “Hollywood Honcho” while attending an event in Hollywood with his wife last year.
“This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.),” Crews tweeted, refusing to identify the individual. “My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates.”
While Venit does not represent the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star, the high-ranking agent’s clients list is full of A-list talent including Adam Sandler, Diane Keaton, Eddie Murphy, Kevin James, Rob Lowe, Russell Brand, Shawn Levy, Steve Martin, Sylvester Stallone, Gal Gadot, Emma Stone, and Vince Vaughn.
Venit also represents super-producer Brett Ratner and actor Dustin Hoffman — two men currently facing multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
“Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk,” tweeted Crews about the alleged incident. “I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No).”
Venit is the latest Hollywood rep to stars to face allegations of sexual misconduct. Last month, APA fired youth talent agent Tyler Grasham following multiple accusations of sexual abuse from young men. On Friday, David Guillod, the Co-CEO of film and music firm Primary Wave Entertainment, took a leave of absence following allegations from actress Jessica Barth that he sexually assaulted her.
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