Predator Harvey Weinstein Used MJ as a Distraction

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In a new article by the New York times, it was revealed that Harvey Weinstein had people "supply gossip" about MJ to trade them with stories about his own scandals. Now we know why the media was so invested in destroying MJ. They were part of a machine that paid them to do so.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/05/us/harvey-weinstein-complicity.html


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Keeping the Media Close
Shortly after the news investigations of Mr. Weinstein’s alleged abuse were published, A. J. Benza, a former New York Daily News gossip columnist, received a two-word text from the producer: “Help me.”

Mr. Benza had been integral to the network of friendly journalists — gossip columnists, magazine writers, editors and authors — whom the producer relied on to promote his entertainment empire and sometimes punish rivals or deflect threats.

Over dinner in West Hollywood in late 2003 or early the next year, the men had discussed a plan to help Mr. Weinstein avoid embarrassment. While married to his first wife, he had become involved with someone else, Mr. Benza discovered. A clerk at a Los Angeles art studio where he commissioned a gift for Mr. Weinstein — a painting of a reimagined “Hollywood” sign reading “Harveywood” — volunteered to Mr. Benza that a friend, Georgina Chapman, was seeing the producer. Mr. Weinstein, who would later marry Ms. Chapman, was separated and wanted to keep the relationship confidential until he was divorced, according to his spokeswoman, Sallie Hofmeister.

Mr. Benza, then between jobs, had a suggestion. “I could supply your P.R. girls with a lot of gossip — a lot of stories — and if people come at them with the ‘Harvey’s having an affair story,’ they can barter,” Mr. Benza recalled telling Mr. Weinstein. “He said, ‘A. J., it’s got to be good stories,’ and I said, ‘Don’t you worry about it.’”

Collecting a monthly retainer, Mr. Benza said, he reported items on Roger Clemens, Michael Jackson and others and sent them to Mr. Weinstein’s communications team, though he didn’t know whether they were used to trade away stories about the producer. Mr. Weinstein’s spokeswoman said the payments to Mr. Benza were for public relations work during Miramax’s dispute with Disney.

After 10 months, Mr. Weinstein said, “I think the coast is clear; I think we beat this thing,” according to Mr. Benza, who recently had a brief stint as a writer for American Media and also runs his own gossip podcast, “Fame Is a Bitch.”

Mr. Benza and Mr. Weinstein were exploiting a longstanding system of favor-trading between the press and the movie business. Gossip writers need a stream of insider scoops, industry beat reporters need exclusives on the next big deal and glossy magazines need celebrities who can drive newsstand sales. Mr. Weinstein, who wanted glowing coverage, could provide that and more.

The producer often held out business opportunities to those who covered him. He had book and movie deals with writers and editors at Fox News, The New York Post, Premiere magazine, Vanity Fair, Varietyand elsewhere. In Mr. Benza’s case, a book contract came immediately after he left The Daily News. In interviews, several journalists who had business ties to him said the arrangements did not cause them to pull punches.

He had particularly strong ties to the tabloid giant American Media — owner of The Enquirer, Globe, OK!, Radar Online and others — with which he teamed up to pursue several media and production deals.

Weinstein’s Complicity Machine


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Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Whenever I see stuff like this I am amazed Michael made it to 50
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Diane Dimond encouraged the Hayvenhurst 5 to lie about Michael Jackson. And then she was hired by Court TV and CNN still asked her for her &quot;expert&quot; opinion about Michael Jackson. The entire US media is corrupt to the core when it comes to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MichaelJackson?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MichaelJackson</a> <a href="https://t.co/hZuqNoX9rq">pic.twitter.com/hZuqNoX9rq</a></p>&mdash; Hammer (@Hammertonhal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hammertonhal/status/938351942065098752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And here's Benza's 1997 gossip column where he declares war on Michael <a href="https://t.co/4ESozBC5QK">https://t.co/4ESozBC5QK</a></p>&mdash; D.B.Anderson (@DBAnderson1) <a href="https://twitter.com/DBAnderson1/status/938401762515521536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I guess the world has figured out what Mr. Michael Jackson was talking about when he sang about &quot;throwing stones to hide your hand&quot;. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MichaelJackson?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MichaelJackson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/media?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#media</a></p>&mdash; Law@Large (@ReasonB4Passion) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReasonB4Passion/status/938391856408354816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

We all knew long ago mj was lynched to hide what was really going on. Nothing new there
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

AJ Benza worked at the same rag as Lind Stasi. Remember she was the one who I believe was in it up to her eyeballs with the Chandlers. So this does not shock me one bit. I think this is only the beginning
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Intresting info. Im sure its very easy to connect them altogether. Shame the only ppl aware of this is us.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Some mother f***ers simply need to keep Michael Jacksons name out of their mouth
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Really? REALLY?!!:angry::pth:
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

I really thought all of this would blow up when "News of the World" fell in one day. I hope this is truly a cultural moment that lasts and turns things around (and not just lead to false allegations for bandwagon types).

I did read that NYDN piece that was posted and didn't really realize Michael was paying for Margaret and her kids-apartment and school, etc. Well, I guess I "knew" it, just like I "knew" he was paying for Alejandra and her kids, but that's just really ridiculous that Jermaine didn't have it together. Or he's just greedy and wants everything for himself.
I have affection for him in his early days and I think when he was with Motown solo and with Hazel he really tried-and he was no slouch-but it just turned to naught.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

I really truly believe that the media and the LAPD was out to get Michael Jackson day one and it just break my heart how they took a innocent man life and turn it upside down Michael was never the same while the real accusers were getting away sexual abuse what a sad world we live in. Whatever happen to innocent until proven guilty.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

We all knew long ago mj was lynched to hide what was really going on. Nothing new there

I agree with you on this too that why i really believe all eyes was on Michael Jackson he was the lead story nothing else matter.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

?another one
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Wow i am hearing a new name everytime now.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

It's funny, but I have enjoyed the Tavis Smiley interviews that I've seen-he always has seem to really respect his guest, and has done thorough research into his work. Great, intelligent, in depth conversations for a change, unlike the usual talk show fare.
But I was really disappointed in his interviews about his Michael Jackson book-all "dreaming about what must have happened" rather than what did happen, and the fact that he failed so miserably when asked about the 'child porn story' that was going around at the time.
He obviously knew nothing about it, and answered thinking they were discussing Chandler, by saying "I wasn't in the room, and I choose not to believe it." No research whatsoever.
And he brags about his relationships with Prince and Michael, which I find sketchy as well. I wrote him off. Delighted that the movie won't be made now-could see nothing but bad coming out of that.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

That explains all the insults MJ had to go through from Foxnews, New York Post, and the all Maureen at Vanity Fair.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

They were all in it together to bring down Michael.

And all the time the real abusers and rapists were those deflecting the blame to Michael. I still think harvey whateverhisname is just a drop in the ocean to all the sick people in hollywood, the media, the corporate world and politics.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Matt Damon is being dragged for saying taping someone on the butt is not like raping or child molestation. This is the same argument used by Gene Simmons. They have been harassing and sexually abusing women (and children) all the time but have managed to deflect the attention to MJ.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Even though I would love to see these people get hit with karma, we have to remember that even these are just accusations with no proof. Even with Weinstein, it's possible he may in fact be a horrible guy but we have no proof that he sexually abused or harassed anyone.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

I no longer have any doubt that Michael was murdered.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Matt Damon is being dragged for saying taping someone on the butt is not like raping or child molestation. This is the same argument used by Gene Simmons. They have been harassing and sexually abusing women (and children) all the time but have managed to deflect the attention to MJ.

I haven't read the controversy about what Matt said, but based on your account, I agree with Matt. There ARE varying degrees of severity of sexual abuse, just like there are for other crimes.
Stealing a Snickers from the local store when nobody is looking is different to armed robbery. Similarly, waving a firearm around to scare people into giving you money is different to using it against them (either shooting them or hitting them with it).
Tapping somebody on the butt is NOT as bad as rape or child abuse, and that is reflected in how the law treats people with the punishment it delivers for those crimes. Actually I think you'd have a hard time prosecuting somebody for tapping somebody else on the butt anyway!

There's this ridiculous pack mentality at the moment where somebody starts a campaign, lots of people jump on the bandwagon and then attack anybody who doesn't agree with them, or in this case, uses a bit of common sense.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

^
Yes. People named and shamed without criminal investigation. People jumping on the bandwagon, careers ruined, all without the weight of criminal prosecution. It turns into a witch hunt and it's not good. It's clear that Hollywood hid dark secrets and needed to change but the very people who are now part of the witch hunt were also part of the problem! Many of them knew what was going on, either because they were victims themselves, saw things happening, or at least heard stories. They should acknowledge their own contribution to the problem.
 
Re: Predator Harvey Weinstein Used Michael Jackson as a Destraction

Well, they're getting a major comeuppance towards them and they deserved it, even the ones believing in lies about Michael.
 
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