Dustin Hoffman denies accusations of sexual misconduct by three more women

One accuser alleges Hoffman exposed himself to her in a hotel room when she was 16 years old

Maya Oppenheim
Friday 15 December 2017 08:35 EST
Comments
Hoffman’s lawyers told the publication the claims were 'defamatory falsehoods'
Hoffman’s lawyers told the publication the claims were 'defamatory falsehoods' (AFP/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman has denied allegations from three more women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.

Cori Thomas said she was a 16-year-old classmate of the Rain Man star's daughter Karina, when in 1980, he exposed himself to her in a hotel room.

She told Variety magazine that he dropped his towel so he was totally naked and then asked her to massage his feet.

Hoffman’s lawyers dismissed her claims, along with those of the other two women featured, telling the publication they were defamatory falsehoods”.

The Independent has separately contacted Hoffman's for comment, but none had arrived at the time of publication.

Six women have now publicly accused the 80-year-old of harassment in recent weeks.

Ms Thomas said: “I didn’t know what to do in the circumstance. I didn’t know that I could say no, so I did it."

She claimed the actor "kept telling me: ‘I’m naked. Do you want to see?

Now a playwright she said she was “saved” by her phone ringing and her mother coming to collect her from the hotel.

I was so mortified, I never said anything,” Ms Thomas said.

A pair of other women also featured in the magazine, where they accused Hoffman of assault by putting his fingers inside them, during filming of 1987 action adventure comedy film Ishtar.

Melissa Kester said that "there was no warning", adding that she "didn’t know he would do that".

Afterwards she said she "sat in the bathroom crying". She added: "I thought, ‘Oh my God.’ I felt like I’d been raped."

The other woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told the publication she was a 22-year-old extra when Hoffman offered her a lift home after a wrap party.

She said: “He just took his hand and stuck his fingers right up inside of me. I didn’t know what to do. He’s smiling at me. I was frozen. I was outside of my body.”

The latest allegations came after three other women accused Hoffman of sexual harassment, which they alleged took place more than 30 years ago.

Hoffman apologised to Anna Graham Hunter - the first woman who to accuse him of sexual harassment which she alleged took place when she was a 17-year-old production assistant on the set of his 1985 film Death of a Salesman.

“I have the utmost respect for women and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have put her in an uncomfortable situation. I am sorry. It is not reflective of who I am,” the actor said in a statement.

Hoffman, who has won Oscars for Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man, is one of a number of high-profile Hollywood figures to have been accused of sexual misconduct in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations that emerged in October.

The disgraced director has “unequivocally” denied all accusations of non-consensual sex.

“Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances,“ his spokesperson told The Independent in a statement.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in