Dem lawmakers to give Weinstein donations to charity

Several Democrats have announced they will donate thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Harvey Weinstein to charity following a slew of sexual harassment allegations against the Hollywood film producer.

Sens. Patrick Leahy (D.Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said they would give to charity the amount of money equal to that of Weinstein’s donations, The New York Times reports.

Leahy is expected to donate $5,600, Blumenthal and Heinrich will donate $5,400 and Warren will donate $5,000. Leahy is expected to donate his campaign contributions to the Change the Story Initiative for the Vermont Women’s Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation.{mosads}

Other Democratic lawmakers are expected to follow suit in light of The New York Times report on sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein. 

Weinstein has publicly and financially supported various Democratic lawmakers and causes over the years. 

He held a fundraiser at his New York City home in 2016 for former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and endowed a faculty chair at Rutgers University in feminist icon Gloria Steinem’s name. 

The film producer issued a statement after the report, in which he apologized for his behavior, and announced he was taking a leave of absence from his company.