On Monday, The New Yorker published a devastating report about New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, alleging that the outspoken #MeToo figure and champion of women’s rights has been accused by four women of physical abuse.
Schneiderman, a liberal Democrat, has used his position as New York’s top law enforcement official to target Harvey Weinstein for his alleged sexual crimes.
Now, four women who have remained silent out of fear of retaliation, have come forward alleging that Schneiderman beat them and abused them repeatedly. Two of the women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, went on record with The New Yorker:
They allege that he repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent. Manning Barish and Selvaratnam categorize the abuse he inflicted on them as “assault.” They did not report their allegations to the police at the time, but both say that they eventually sought medical attention after having been slapped hard across the ear and face, and also choked. Selvaratnam says that Schneiderman warned her he could have her followed and her phones tapped, and both say that he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him.
A third woman who used to be romantically involved with Schneiderman told Manning Barish and Selvaratnam that he was physically violent with her and that she is too afraid to come forward.
Ronan Farrow’s report also highlighted a fourth woman who claims that Schneiderman smacked her across the face so hard after she turned down his sexual advances that she began to scream and cry in pain. The attack reportedly left a mark that lingered days after the attack.
In a tweet, Manning Barish explained why she came forward, writing: “After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not…”
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