Two men have have come forward and accused Tyler Grasham a talent agent at APA of sexually assaulting them.
Via Deadline:
Former child actor Blaise Godbe Lipman, 28, says agent Tyler Grasham assaulted him 10 years ago when he was seeking representation. “Tyler Grasham, under the pretense of a business meeting regarding potential agency representation at APA Agency, fed me alcohol while I was underage and sexually assaulted me,” he wrote Monday on Facebook.
Lucas Ozarowski, a 27-year-old film and TV editor, says he also was assaulted by Grasham. He said he has contacted Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer with the story and will file a report with the LAPD today.
Lipman posted that the recent revelations about Harvey Weinstein gave him the courage to finally come forward with his story.
“The positive thing about the attention the Weinstein scandal has had, is it’s no longer about Harvey,” he wrote. “The conversation has moved on to the size of this epidemic and how to dismantle the system that protects these predators. And it’s given space and courage for victims to speak up, against their abuse. This is bigger than Weinstein.”
A spokesman for APA Agency confirmed the termination Friday. “Tyler Grasham’s employment has been terminated with APA effective immediately,”
One employee noted that it “has been a hard few days at the agency,” but they are indeed trying to place Grasham’s clients with other agents inside APA.
I am wondering if this will start a witch hunt in Hollywood and New York. I do not deny the existence of these predators. I am skeptical as to the nature of the “sudden” emergence of these “repressed” memories. We have seen that many of these accuser’s seem to be financially motivated.
In regards to the Weinstein scandal, it is not an emergence of repressed memories at all. Some women did not report him at the time because of shame, fear of reprisal and victim blaming. Others did and were silenced with money or fear. The NY DA refuse to bring charges against Weinstein when Ambra Battilana had audio taped proof of Weinstein admitting to the harassment. This article illuminates how people of power will manipulate and control the vulnerable, women aren’t the only ones who are susceptible.
Very few of the Weinstein accusers were paid off and none of the 50+ that have come forward since have asked for money. This article does mention any financial compensation. So we actually haven’t seen any financial motivation. I’m not saying that there aren’t people who would take advantage of the situation but they are few and far between. Proposing this is another reason why people stay silent – it’s another form of victim/accuser blame and misrepresentation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html
There are quite a few who were paid and reneging on their agreements. The other thing that should be remembered is the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when either: The conduct is made as a term or condition of an individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a University community.The problem with this is it very subjective. What you may perceive as sexual harassment I may not. I was the assistant manager of a “GAY” bar and restaurant for a few years. I used to flirt with a waiter who we ended up firing. He came back and filed suit against me for sexual harassment. I wasn’t the one who fired him either. I was on vacation.