WASHINGTON _ Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Sunday that she'll consider returning or giving away decades-old donations from Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, though she seemed unaware she had received them
The New York Times Thursday reported allegations of sexual harassment by Weinstein over decades, prompting some Democrats to say they will give away money equal to donations they have received from Weinstein. Those who have not were criticized by the Republican National Committee.
According to federal records, Weinstein gave Feinstein $375 in 1992 and $1,000 in 1994. Feinstein was asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" how she planned to respond to criticism from the California Republican Party about the donations.
"I don't know that I've received any. I'll certainly take a look, and then I'll make a decision," the California Democrat said.
"Anytime somebody does something wrong, and he's done mighty wrong, and no one has ever questioned where I stand on any of this stuff, um, somebody comes to you and says, 'Oh, they contributed to you, are you giving back the money?' And you sort of look like a startled bird and say, 'Well, let me look and see.' And that's the best I can do for you today."
Another Democrat, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, said on CNN's "State of the Union" that it would probably be wise for politicians who accepted money from Weinstein to return it, given Weinstein's stature as a "high-profile individual."
"This is a pretty bad guy who did some really awful things, and if people need for that money to be returned in order to make it clear that the entities that received them want nothing to do with him and his behavior, then that's probably a smart move," Murphy said. "People that took money from him should probably give it back."
On "Meet the Press, Feinstein was asked why the sexual harassment allegations didn't come to light earlier.
"It's very, very concerning that there can't be a more defined moral code," she said. "I am really surprised that people knew these things and did nothing about it."
