As 2018 is nearing the end, AceShowbiz is offering a recap of each month's biggest event throughout the year.
- Jan 1, 2019
AceShowbiz - Alongside Rose McGowan, Asia Argento was one of MeToo movement activists after she accused disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment in October 2017. However, things took a twisted turn after it was reported that the "XXX" star was involved in a sexual assault scandal of her own.
Actor and musician Jimmy Bennett claimed that the actress sexually harassed him when he was only 17 in 2013. According to the document, the two, who played mother and son respectively in "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things", met at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey with Bennett's family member before the "Marie Antoinette" actress asked for sometime alone with the actor. The mother of two then gave him alcohol and kissed him. Afterward, she gave him an oral sex before they had a sexual intercourse.
It was also mentioned in the document that the sexual encounter with Argento was so traumatic for Bennett that it affected his mental health, career and income. It reportedly left him feeling "extremely confused, mortified, and disgusted." The "Poseidon" actor later sued the Italian actress and director for $3.5 million in damages for the intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, assault and battery.
It was revealed that Argento then paid $380,000 to Bennett in November 2017 as a part of the agreement. In exchange, Bennet had to give a picture of him and the actress in bed along with its copyright to Argento.
