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TV presenter 'groped' by Schwarzenegger may sue
The Independent (UK) ^ | 05 October 2003 | James Morrison and Andrew Gumbel in Bakersfield, California

Posted on 10/04/2003 2:21:52 PM PDT by John Jorsett

California election: Three more women come forward to add to tide of harassment allegations against actor-turned-politician

The British television presenter who alleges she was sexually harassed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in a London hotel is threatening to sue him for libel over his claim that she invented the incident.

Close friends of Anna Richardson say she is furious that Schwarzenegger aides, in attempting to shore up his support ahead of Tuesday's recall election for California governor, briefed against her. The movie star's spin-doctors claimed that, far from having her breasts groped against her will, Ms Richardson invited him to examine them.

Ms Richardson's threat came as three more women stepped forward to add to the tide of sexual allegations facing Mr Schwarzenegger.

A former intern at CNN, Collette Brooks, told reporters that he groped her buttocks and told her she had "a nice ass" while she was showing him around a studio 25 years ago. In another incident, an assistant director on his 1988 film Twins claimed he had regularly undressed in front of her in his trailer, while Carla Baron, a stand-in on the same movie set, said he had sandwiched her between himself and a crew member and forced his tongue into her mouth.

Mr Schwarzenegger is also accused of being a Nazi sympathiser after the emergence of an old interview transcript in which he appeared to praise Hitler - an allegation he immediately denied, stating that his quotes had been taken out of context.

Ms Richardson has alleged that Mr Schwarzenegger grabbed her and pulled her on to his knee before squeezing her nipple while she interviewed him for an LWT film show, The Big Screen, at the Dorchester hotel in London in December 2000.

The claims by the 32-year-old vicar's daughter were originally published in The Sun shortly after the alleged incident. They resurfaced last week when the Los Angeles Times detailed a series of similar complaints by five other women about the star's past indiscretions.

While he was quick to admit to having "behaved badly" towards some women in the past, his campaign managers denied these included Ms Richardson. Sheryl Main, a Hollywood publicist who was with the actor during Ms Richardson's interview with him, insisted the presenter approached him, cupped her right breast and said: "What do you think of these?"

Ms Richardson has told friends that she may sue Mr Schwarzenegger and/or his aides for accusing her of lying.

Since her allegations re-emerged on Thursday, the glamorous but, until now, little-known presenter has been bombarded with interview requests from media outlets around the world. Currently on holiday with her partner, Ms Richardson is understood to have been negotiating to sell her story to a British tabloid.

A source close to Ms Richardson said it was now "a possibility" she would sue Mr Schwarzenegger over his denial of her claims, adding: "Comments in the LA Times have basically libelled Anna."

In her original interview with The Sun about the alleged incident, she said: "He kept saying how fantastic I looked and staring at my boobs. When I went to shake his hand he pulled me on to his knee, saying, 'I really want to know if your breasts are real.' I told him they are an F-cup. Before I knew what was happening he circled my nipple with his finger and gave it a squeeze. He then said, 'Yeah, they are real.' I stood up and said, 'You're making me nervous.'

"He told me not to be nervous and pulled me back on his knee. I said, 'Can I go, please?' He said, 'Yeah', and patted my bum as I went off."

At the time, his spokesman said, "I don't know anything about this particular incident but Arnie is a big flirt, as is Anna. Most presenters know how to handle him and understand he's just flirting."

As the latest, potentially damaging, allegations were made public, there were some signs of an upturn in Mr Schwarzenegger's fortunes on the campaign trail itself. With the actor barnstorming his way across the state on the so-called California Comeback Express, his supporters rallied to his defence.

Lynn Harwood-Campbell, a true-blue Republican with two sons in the military, was typical of the doting fans he encountered on Friday. After waiting for two hours with a gaggle of girlfriends in the sizzling heat of California's Central Valley to catch a glimpse of her idol, she told reporters: "He can grope me any time. What would you prefer, a cigar with Bill Clinton, or a grope with Arnold Schwarzenegger?"

Others tried to turn the guns on Gray Davis, the incumbent Democrat governor whom the actor is trying to unseat. One roadside sign read: "Gray Davis groped me when he reached into my wallet."


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: calgov2002; groper; recall; richardson; schwarzenegger
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To: Delta 21
She really looks like she is being harrased in those shots.

The problem is, Schwarznegger's attorney, Marty Singer, has said it never happened.

Now the story needs to change to "she asked for it" or "she wanted it," because there's a pic of Arnold grabbing Richardson's breast in 2000.

We'll see how it's handled, but as I said, it could be problematic.


61 posted on 10/04/2003 3:22:51 PM PDT by Sabertooth (No Drivers' Licences for Illegal Aliens. Petition SB60. http://www.saveourlicense.com/n_home.htm)
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To: Sabertooth
The same people that blew off demonized Clinton's womaninzing are now demonizing blowing off Schwarzenegger for the same mistreatment of women. Hypocrisy
62 posted on 10/04/2003 3:26:35 PM PDT by Afronaut (Zombie voters For Liberals)
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To: John Jorsett
Join Us…Your One Thread To All The California Recall News Threads!

Want on our daily or major news ping lists? Freepmail DoctorZin

63 posted on 10/04/2003 3:26:48 PM PDT by DoctorZIn
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To: Sabertooth
Perhaps the best thing for him to do is to stick to what he's already said. That things are rowdy on a stage set, that he's behaved badly and he's sorry.

The problem lies more with these pix being from 2000 I think.

Prairie



64 posted on 10/04/2003 3:28:04 PM PDT by prairiebreeze (How will Grey Davis eat and pay the bills when he's no longer at the public trough? Who cares?)
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To: Afronaut
"So then it was just fine to have Arnolds hands all over her. She asked for it then right?"

That she is comfortable with juvenile sexual antics (of the Howard Stern type) does not prove that "she asked for it", but taken together with the fact that another (female) witness to the event states she DID ask for it by cupping her breasts and saying "What do you think of these?" might lead one to believe that she might have invited the behavior.
65 posted on 10/04/2003 3:28:45 PM PDT by Stirner
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To: ChadGore
this might not be such a bad thing... even with the 'hollywood discount' (for alleged naughty behavior), arnold still appears in control of the election. If he can withstand all the garbage being tossed out an win in a landslide, it will weaken the tactic of smearing an opponent, thus making them have to rely more on ideas and issues, which they can't win on...
66 posted on 10/04/2003 3:28:55 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch ("...other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?")
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To: Sabertooth
The second pic could be problematic...

Looks like she is having fun. Who are they trying to fool?

<

67 posted on 10/04/2003 3:40:26 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul (Arnold has the conviction and the fighting spirit to lead California into a new age of recovery)
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To: Delta 21
It seems to be a *British* thing to do - during interviews -sexual flirtations.

Look at Benny Hill (who I guess was a groper on and off the set) and Monty Python, it's not like they (British) hold women up in high regard in their programs.
To me - often (unless you're watching PBS) British telly is about women and their t&a...sadly.

68 posted on 10/04/2003 3:48:11 PM PDT by mutejesseJ
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To: Stirner
the fact that another (female) witness to the event states she DID ask for it by cupping her breasts and saying "What do you think of these?" might lead one to believe that she might have invited the behavior.

That witness, Sheryl Main, works for Schwarzenegger.

Sean Walsh also works for Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger's campaign spokesman, Sean Walsh, said the candidate has not engaged in improper conduct toward women either on the set or off. He said such allegations are part of an escalating political attack on Schwarzenegger as the recall election draws near.

"We believe Democrats and others are using this to try to hurt Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign," Walsh said. "We believe that this is coming so close before the election, something that discourages good, hard-working, decent people from running for office."

He said Schwarzenegger himself would have no comment.

< -snip- >

Sheryl Main, a Hollywood publicist who has worked with Schwarzenegger on many films and accompanied him on his worldwide travels since 1995, said she was present at the interview. Main said it was Richardson who provocatively approached Schwarzenegger.

She contends that Richardson later concocted her story.
Sun-Sentinel.com- October 2nd, 2003

Walsh said that no improper behavior occurred on the set or off.

Main said Richardson concocted her story.

Schwarzenegger's own apology has refuted Walsh, and these pics, at least in part, refute Main.

Arnold's doing a lot better with this issue speaking fortherightly and apologizing, and the people working for him should just shut up.


69 posted on 10/04/2003 3:52:01 PM PDT by Sabertooth (No Drivers' Licences for Illegal Aliens. Petition SB60. http://www.saveourlicense.com/n_home.htm)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Looks like she is having fun. Who are they trying to fool?

She sure has a big ole smile on her face!! She's actually making accusations now??? Liberals never cease to amaze.

70 posted on 10/04/2003 3:55:13 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: Afronaut
demonized Clinton's womaninzing

Clinton did a whole lot worse than what Arnold is being accused of. Monica actually feared for her life ----- I don't think the Arnold accusers are fearing for their lives.

71 posted on 10/04/2003 3:57:41 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: John Jorsett
It's all about sex.

Can't we just...

MOVE ON???

72 posted on 10/04/2003 4:01:42 PM PDT by Jim Noble
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To: FITZ; Sabertooth
She sure has a big ole smile on her face!! She's actually making accusations now??? Liberals never cease to amaze.

Yep, and Saber posted that the pic could be problematic. LOL! Liberals do brainwash people.

73 posted on 10/04/2003 4:02:33 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul (Arnold has the conviction and the fighting spirit to lead California into a new age of recovery)
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To: John Jorsett
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-it
74 posted on 10/04/2003 4:06:02 PM PDT by lawdude (Liberalism: A failure every time it is tried!)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Yep, and Saber posted that the pic could be problematic. LOL! Liberals do brainwash people.

I think the liberals are having a very bad week ---- and this accusation from this woman really proves it. Plus they're getting desperate trying to get Rush off his throne ---- and it's not going to work.

75 posted on 10/04/2003 4:10:49 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: Jim Noble
It's all about sex. Can't we just... MOVE ON???

The only thing ---- this is probably going to help Arnold and hurt McClintock. I hardly see any mention of him anymore. Nothing like the democrats piling on ---- I wonder how even the liberal Kennedys feel about some of this?

76 posted on 10/04/2003 4:15:34 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: FITZ
The only problem is that if they keep repeating insidious lies over and over, and over again, people tend to believe them.
77 posted on 10/04/2003 4:18:39 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul (Arnold has the conviction and the fighting spirit to lead California into a new age of recovery)
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To: John Jorsett
As the latest, potentially damaging, allegations were made public...

Oh, you hope, you weasel.

You know, if I had the time and the will, I'd excerpt all these articles — including ones on Foxnews! — about how the Schwarzenegger campaigns is "staggered" and "stunned" and "struggling to respond," and about how he was "forced" to apologize. They are working so hard to turn this into a jaw-dropping, foreearth-shattering, devastating scandal.

But where's the beef? Where's the EVIDENCE that anything's struggling and staggering, apart from these Demoweasels struggling and staggering and stunned at their inability to create a devastating scandal at the last hour.

To my mind, THAT would make for a far more interesting read, than all these mediaclones and their gasping, fantasy-driven editorializing.

Dan

78 posted on 10/04/2003 4:20:00 PM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: Tamsey; Tempest; My2Cents; redlipstick; EggsAckley; FairOpinion; Hillary's Lovely Legs; ...
Sorry, meant to ping you all to 78.
79 posted on 10/04/2003 4:20:48 PM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Well ---- that picture would certain unconvince them. I still think if the best they can do is get some bimbos to come out and complain they were pinched, they aren't helping their cause. If anything Davis just looks more androgynous (Maureen Dowd's word for him) and boring.
80 posted on 10/04/2003 4:22:41 PM PDT by FITZ
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