Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Vincent Cirrincione, the well-known Hollywood manager credited with making Halle Berry famous, has been accused of preying on minority women trying to break into the entertainment industry, The Washington Post reports. Nine women have come forward alleging sexual misconduct by Cirrincione, with at least four of them claiming he demanded sex as a condition to represent them. Actress and director Tamika Lamison told the Post Cirrincione forced himself on her during a meeting in 1996, allegedly telling her he’d take her on as a client if she gave him sex whenever he wanted it. Several other women—eight African Americans and one Asian American—described similar behavior over a period of two decades. They say Cirrincione used his reputation as a Hollywood gatekeeper for minority women to demand sexual favors in exchange for career help. Berry, who says she was “saddened” to learn of the new allegations, told the Post she cut ties with Cirrincione three years ago after first hearing a woman accuse him of misconduct. He denied the accusations, Berry said, but “something didn’t feel right” so she ended her 25-year working relationship with Cirrincione. Cirrincione has denied demanding “favors, sexual or otherwise, as a reason for managing anyone.”