Journalist and author Susan Braudy appeared on the Today show Friday morning to detail her sexual-harassment allegations against Michael Douglas. Braudy says Douglas frequently harassed her when she worked for his company, Stone Bridge Productions, in the 1980s. Once, she says, he masturbated in front of her during a work meeting at his apartment: “He slid down to the floor, unbuckled his belt, and put his hand inside his trousers, and I could see what he was doing,†Braudy told Today. “Then he began to sort of fondle himself, and I was very scared.†Braudy says she repeatedly complained to Douglas about his behavior, but didn’t go to the police at the time because she didn’t know his harassment could be considered criminal.
Earlier this month, Douglas preemptively denied allegations of sexual misconduct in an interview with Deadline. He apologized if he used inappropriate language in front of Braudy at the time — “if she was offended, she could have excused herself†— but denied masturbating during the meeting. “I don’t know where to begin,†he said. “This is a complete lie, fabrication, no truth to it whatsoever.â€