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While most complaints of sexual harassment in entertainment are
made in the music industry (Entertainment Weekly, 95), Hollywood was
rocked recently by an unusual film-related suit, in which an unknown
screenwriter filed charges against a well-known producer. But that
wasn't the only extraordinary aspect of the case. This time, both the
accused and the accuser were men:
* Screenwriter Wayne Mogilefsky, 23, in early March filed a formal
complaint of sexual harassment against Michael Levy, 32, president of
Joel Silver's Silver Pictures (Lethal Weapon 3). In it, he accused
Levy of propositioning him during two February meetings (it's rumored
Mogilefsky was wired on the second occasion). Levy strongly denies
the allegations. Some Hollywood insiders expect the matter to be
settled before it goes to court, although Silver's attorney has
already turned down one settlement offer.
There have also been developments in two other significant
harassment cases:
* Penny Muck, 29, whose harassment lawsuit against former employer
Marko Babineau, 40, and Geffen Records is pending, quit Geffen late
last year to head the L.A. office of a small music management firm.
Babineau was fired from his job as general manager of Geffen's DGC
label in September, just before Muck filed her suit. He now runs his
own firm, MJB & Associates, which promotes various acts, including
Geffen's Robbie Robertson.
* Lori Harris, 29, recently settled her lawsuit against Mike Bone,
42, former copresident of PolyGram's Mercury Records, reportedly for
a five-figure sum. He allegedly pressured Harris, his administrative
assistant, for sex in 1990 and fired her when she refused his
advances; Bone was fired in November 1990, & two days before the case
surfaced in the press. Bone is said to have recently taken an
executive position at Def American Records. Harris has gone back to
school.
