Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein (Photo : REUTERS/Rick Wilking)
The mystery woman, who accused the movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse, is now identified as Ambra Battilana, a beauty queen and a former Miss Italy contestant.
A source close to the 22-year-old model has declared that Battilana "is not afraid of Harvey" and will pursue the case to seek justice. "Battilana knows that Harvey has money and power and that he's going to come after her," New York Daily News quoted a source. "But she's confident."
The stunning model from Italy has accused the "Shakespeare In Love" hit maker of groping her breast and touching her inappropriately at his office. The model has filed a formal complaint under which Weinstein was questioned about his conduct on the fateful evening. No charges have been filed yet against the producer.
Weinstein's camp has retaliated and dismissed Battilana's allegations as a blackmail attempt to extort money. Battilana was also involved in the infamous sex scandal involving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in which he was accused of demanding sex with underage prostitutes at an orgy in 2010, Daily Mail reported. Battilana was an official witness in the case and declared that she was present at the sex filled party when the Italian prime minister allegedly coerced her to remove her clothing but failed.
Weinstein's camp has also raised serious allegations against Battilana that she has a history of pursuing older men. The model had also accused a 70-year-old businessman for sexual assault, who in turn claims that he had a consensual relationship with her that lasted for a while.
Battilana's lawyer, Mark Heller, has slammed the reports of blackmail attempt by the model. The model is reportedly being offered close to $100,000 from media outlets to make her story public.
"Regrettably, like many sex crime victims, she is being inappropriately branded and persecuted for coming forward to report an act of sexual abuse perpetrated against her," declared Heller in a statement.
Weinstein and Battilana met in New York Spring Spectacular show in Radio City Music Hall recently. They exchanged emails after which the model was allegedly invited to his Tribeca Film Center office for an audition.
