Weinstein accuser had 'zero interest' in sex with him, friend testifies

NEW YORK (AP) — Friends of one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers testified Thursday that the woman told them long ago that Weinstein sexually assaulted her.

Adding a new perspective to the ex-movie mogul’s retrial, one witness said she’d once suggested that accuser Miriam Haley date the movie mogul, but Haley balked.

“She had zero interest in dating him or sleeping with him,” witness Christine Pressman said, describing Haley as “distraught” when she later disclosed the alleged sexual assault.

Some of the emerging details show how this trial is a reprise — but not an exact repeat — of the 2020 trial in which Weinstein was initially convicted of rape and sexual assault. That conviction has since been overturned.

Pressman didn't testify at the original trial. Prosecutors brought her in this time to support Haley's allegations, but Weinstein's lawyers quizzed her about whether Haley in fact had a willing sexual relationship with the Oscar-winning studio boss.

“Never,” Pressman insisted.

Haley is a former production assistant on the Weinstein-produced television show “Project Runway.”

Weinstein, 73, maintains that he has never sexually assaulted or raped anyone. His lawyers argue that his accusers agreed to sexual encounters with the Oscar-winning producer in hopes of getting ahead in the entertainment business.

Weinstein was transformed in 2017 from a Hollywood tycoon into a #MeToo movement villain after a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him became public.

He was convicted in 2020 of raping Jessica Mann, who was once an aspiring actor, and forcing oral sex on Haley. New York’s highest court threw out the conviction last year, finding that the original trial judge had allowed prejudicial testimony.

The retrial includes an additional allegation of forcible oral sex on a different woman, former model Kaja Sokola. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

None of the accusers has testified yet, but two of Haley's friends took the stand Thursday to attest that she told them about the alleged July 2006 sexual assault around that time.

Elizabeth Entin, Haley's former roommate, said a shaken Haley told her that month that Weinstein had forcibly performed oral sex on her. Echoing her testimony at the first trial, Entin said she suggested Haley call a lawyer, but her friend seemed disinclined.

Pressman, however, said she advised against turning to police when the Finnish-born Haley made a similar disclosure to her in August or September of 2006.

“I said, ‘Harvey Weinstein is the king of New York. He’s extremely powerful. You are not. You’re here on a tourist visa. Just let it go,’” the former model, musician and actor recalled. She teared up as she added that she now knows her guidance “was wrong.”

Under questioning from Weinstein lawyer Jennifer Bonjean, Pressman acknowledged that at some point before the alleged assault, she suggested Haley date Weinstein. Pressman later explained that she'd been frustrated by her friend's taste in men — guys who were lanky, cerebral “and broke,” as Pressman put it.

Haley rejected the notion of dating Weinstein, she said. But Bonjean went on to ask whether Pressman knew that Haley “had consensual sex with Mr. Weinstein.” Pressman said her friend did no such thing.

Haley testified at the original trial that she said “no, no, no” during the alleged assault. A few weeks later, she didn’t protest when Weinstein pulled her toward a bed and had sex with her, she said, explaining that she simply “went numb.”

After jurors left for the day, Weinstein's lawyers sought a mistrial, saying Pressman's testimony was prejudicial. They were turned down by Judge Curtis Farber, who's now overseeing the case.

While there are many similarities to the first trial, there also stand to be plenty of changes.

Entin found herself answering questions about what she has said and written about the first trial itself, such as describing her participation as her “15 minutes of fame.” Entin said it was a joke.

And she wasn’t asked about a recollection that made for a memorable and rare light moment at the first trial — a time when she said Weinstein showed up uninvited to the apartment she shared with Haley and was chased around by Entin’s pet Chihuahua.

Farber had indicated he didn’t think having Entin describe the purported episode was fair game for the trial.

The Associated Press does not identify people who allege they have been sexually assaulted unless they agree to be named. Haley, Mann and Sokola have done so.

Attorney Diana Fabi Samson arrives for Harvey Weinstein's retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Attornesy Diana Fabi Samson and Arthur Aidala speak outside Harvey Weinstein's retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Harvey Weinstein appears for his retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)

Harvey Weinstein appears for his retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in New York. (Spencer Platt/Pool Photo via AP)

Harvey Weinstein appears for his retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)

Harvey Weinstein appears for his retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in New York. (Spencer Platt/Pool Photo via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thursday was the final day to select an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan across much of the country, as the expiration of federal subsidies drives up health costs and lawmakers remain locked in a debate over how to address the issue.

That's when the open enrollment window ends in most states for plans that start in February. About 10 states that run their own marketplaces have later deadlines, or have extended them to the end of the month to give their residents more time.

The date is a crucial one for millions of small business owners, gig workers, farmers, ranchers and others who don't get their health insurance from a job and therefore rely on marketplace plans. A record 24 million Americans purchased Affordable Care Act health plans last year.

But this year, their decisions over health coverage have been more difficult than usual as clarity over how much it will cost is hard to come by. And so far, enrollment is lagging behind last year's numbers — with about 22.8 million Americans having signed up so far, according to federal data.

Last year, for months, it was unclear whether Congress would allow for the end-of-year expiration of COVID-era expanded subsidies that had offset costs for more than 90% of enrollees. Democrats forced a record-long government shutdown over the issue, but still couldn't get a deal done. So the subsidies expired Jan. 1, leaving the average subsidized enrollee with more than double the monthly premium costs for 2026, according to an analysis from the health care nonprofit KFF.

Still, the question of whether Congress would resurrect the tax credits loomed over Washington. Several enrollees told The Associated Press they have either delayed signing up for coverage or signed up with a plan to cancel as they anxiously watch what's happening on Capitol Hill.

Last week, the House passed a three-year extension of the subsidies after 17 Republicans joined with Democrats against the wishes of Republican leaders. But the Senate rejected a similar bill last year.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has been leading a bipartisan group of 12 senators trying to devise a compromise and said this week that he expects to have a proposal by the end of the month. The contours of the senators’ bipartisan plan involves a two-year deal that would extend the enhanced subsidies while adding new limits on who can receive them. The proposal would also create the option, in the second year, of a new health savings account that President Donald Trump and Republicans prefer.

Under the deal being discussed, the ACA open enrollment period would be extended to March 1 of this year to allow people more time to figure out their coverage plans after the disruption.

Still, Republicans and Democrats say they have not completed the plan, and the two sides have yet to agree if there should be new limits on whether states can use separate funds for abortion coverage.

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced outlines of a plan he wants Congress to consider that would. It would, among other things, redirect ACA subsidies into health savings accounts that go directly to consumers. Democrats have largely rebuffed this idea as inadequate for offsetting health costs for most people.

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro contributed from Washington.

FILE - Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on a computer screen in New York, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)