Brett Ratner Steps Down From Simon Wiesenthal Center Board Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims

Brett Ratner has resigned from the board of the Simon Wiesenthal Center following allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

In a statement issued last week, the center said it was “deeply distressed” by the reports of Ratner’s alleged sexual misconduct. “Our Center has zero tolerance for this kind of behavior,” a spokesperson said.

Ratner’s attorney declined to comment.

Ratner continues to be CEO of RatPac Entertainment, though Warner Bros. has announced that it is cutting all ties with him.

Ratner was the youngest member of the Simon Wiesenthal Center board when he joined in 2008. The director-producer has been prominently associated with the organization, which is committed to combating anti-Semitism. Last year, he auctioned off some of his Hollywood memorabilia to benefit the Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance.

Ratner is also no longer on the board of the Los Angeles Police Foundation, though it was not clear when he stepped down. He remains on the board of the Ghetto Film School, a film program based in New York, though his position will be up for debate at the next board meeting.

In addition, Ratner’s publicist, Simon Halls, no longer represents him or his company, according to a receptionist at Slate PR, Halls’ firm. Halls did not respond to an email seeking comment.

A $450 million co-financing deal between RatPac and Warner Bros. is set to expire next spring.

Ratner has been accused of raping Melanie Kohler, a former employee of the Endeavor Talent Agency, at the Beverly Hills home of producer Robert Evans. Actress Natasha Henstridge also alleged that Ratner forced her to perform oral sex when she was a model in the 1990s. Ratner has also been accused of sexually harassing assistants at New Line Cinema in 2005, and was investigated by Beverly Hills police for alleged sexual battery in 2001. Ratner has denied all of the allegations, and filed a libel suit against Kohler in federal court.

Related stories

Greg Berlanti Meets With Casts & Crews Amid Andrew Kreisberg Harassment Claims

Larry Wilmore on 'Doing Better' With Sexual Harassment: Men Have 'to Be Woke Allies'

Sarah Silverman on Louis C.K.'s Sexual Misconduct: 'I Love Louis, but He Did These Things'

Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!