The NYPD has launched a criminal investigation into Harvey Weinstein, as sexual assault allegations surface

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Recent allegations of sexual harassment and assault committed by Harvey Weinstein have prompted the New York Police Department to open a criminal investigation into the film mogul, police told Variety and The New York Post.

The investigation comes in the wake of bombshell reports by The New York Times and The New Yorker, which detail numerous allegations against Weinstein.

An NYPD spokesperson confirmed the investigation to Variety with the following statement: 

"Based on information referenced in published news reports the NYPD is conducting a review to determine if there are any additional complaints relating to the Harvey Weinstein matter. No filed complaints have been identified as of this time and as always, the NYPD encourages anyone who may have information pertaining to this matter to call the CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.”

Weinstein avoided prosecution from the Manhattan district attorney in 2015, when actress Ambra Batillana Gutierrez, then 22, said he groped her. In a subsequent sting operation, the NYPD secretly recorded Weinstein admitting to groping Gutierrez in a hotel room.

In the audio, released by The New Yorker, Gutierrez asks Weinstein, "Why yesterday you touch my breast?" 

Weinstein responds, "Oh, please. I'm sorry. Just come on in. I'm used to that." He then admits to groping her by saying, "I won't do it again."

Here's the audio:

The Manhattan district attorney ultimately decided not to file charges against Weinstein at the time, following a two-week investigation.

The Manhattan district attorney's office released the following statement on Tuesday, in response to outrage that Weinstein was not prosecuted: "While the recording is horrifying to listen to, what emerged from the audio was insufficient to prove a crime under New York law, which requires prosecutors to establish criminal intent." 

NOW WATCH: We played the highly-anticipated new Super Mario game and were blown away