Michael Douglas Preemptively Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations

'I felt the need to get ahead of this.'
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Michael Douglas has spoken out to preemptively dismiss a story The Hollywood Reporter was planning to publish, in which he is accused of sexual harassment.

The ‘Wall Street’ actor says he reached out to Deadline after learning that a former employee was planning to publicly accuse him of sexual misconduct, including masturbating in front of her more than 30 years ago.

Douglas told Deadline he deliberately wanted to “get ahead” of the story for the sake of his children.

Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas
Daniel Zuchnik via Getty Images
Douglas at the 'Flatliners' premiere last year
Douglas at the 'Flatliners' premiere last year
Jason LaVeris via Getty Images

Douglas’s decision to speak out comes following a wave of allegations against key figures in Hollywood, which started with a piece in the New York Times in which film mogul Harvey Weinstein was accused of varying levels of sexual misconduct (Weinstein has denied all allegations of “non-consensual sex”).

Speaking about the #MeToo movement, which has gained prominence in the wake of the Weinstein accusations and aims to lend a voice to victims of sexual harassment and abuse, Douglas said: “I support the #MeToo movement with all my heart. I have always supported women, along the way.

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