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Statement of January Gessert

by keith | Jan 17, 2021

I am shocked, frightened and crushed that leaving a friend’s house can be so misconstrued to turn my whole life upside down. I can’t believe that people and the media will go to such great lengths to create a completely fabricated story to boost ratings. Meanwhile I wake up with anxiety afraid to answer the front door or my phone because it many mean having to respond to more false reports about me. I do not deserve the derogatory comments about me, which are degrading, humiliating and hurtful. I am glad to have this opportunity to tell the world the truth, and I hope that no one else will have to be the victim as I have been of pure nonsense and made-up tabloid drama.

March 31, 2010

I start every day with the knowledge that helping people and fighting for justice is my duty, and that nothing worthwhile comes without sacrifice, self- discipline, and courage.
Gloria Allred, Fight Back and Win

In the Media

04.23.25 Associated Press, KTLA5 – “Weinstein’s #MeToo rape retrial opens with added allegations from a former model.” Attorney Gloria Allred speaks to reporters outside Manhattan criminal court during a break in Harvey Weinstein’s retrial.

04.23.25 ABC News – “Harvey Weinstein retrial underway in New York over sex crime allegations.” Attorney Gloria Allred was referenced several times by defense attorney Arthur Aidala in his opening statement.

04.23.25 The Independent UK – “Harvey Weinstein trial live: Photos of mogul with Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth are debated on day 2 of retrial.” Attorney Gloria Allred told The Independent that she is feeling “positive” about today’s criminal trial for Harvey Weinstein.

04.23.25 Texarkana Gazette – “Weinstein’s #MeToo rape retrial opens with added allegations.” Attorney Gloria Allred is pictured attending Harvey Weinstein’s criminal retrial in New York. Click through for images.

04.23.25 Bloomberg Law –“Weinstein Was Immoral, Not Criminal, Lawyer Argues at Retrial.” Women’s rights attorney, Gloria Allred, attended opening statements at Harvey Weinstein’s criminal retrial in New York.

04.23.25 BBC – “Weinstein had ‘psychological hold’ on victim, prosecution tells rape retrial.” Attorney Gloria Allred attended Harvey Weinstein’s New York criminal retrial in continued support of her clients, including Mimi Haley, whom she represented in the 2020 conviction. Despite attempts by the defense to discredit both Ms. Allred and Mr. Weinstein’s accusers, Ms. Allred’s presence underscores her long-standing commitment to seeking justice for survivors of sexual assault and holding powerful figures accountable.

04.15.25 The Independent UK– “Harvey Weinstein: The #MeToo movement’s most notorious villain heads back to court for retrial.” Attorney Gloria Allred disagrees with claims that the #MeToo movement is fading. “The lie that the #MeToo movement is dying or dead can only be understood as a manipulation of women's psyches as a mind game to deter women from asserting their rights for fear that it's hopeless or that they will be attacked,” Ms. Allred told The Independent. She reminded us that, “No one has ever given women any rights at all. We've always had to fight to win them — and we need them to have courage now more than ever.” Ms. Allred has represented multiple women in their cases against Mr. Weinstein, including client Mimi Haley, who will testify in Mr. Weinstein’s retrial.

04.15.25 CNN – “His conviction was hailed as a #MeToo victory. After winning his appeal, Harvey Weinstein is back on trial.” The case that catalyzed the #MeToo movement is now back in the spotlight, one year after Mr. Weinstein’s conviction was overturned when the New York Court of Appeals ruled that testimony against him from women for whom charges were not filed led to an unfair trial. “It’s painful, to go through the process again about a traumatic event,” attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing Mimi Haley, one of three women who will testify in Weinstein’s retrial, told CNN. “I commend her,” Ms. Allred said of her client. “It does take a tremendous amount of courage.”

04.05.25 Bleeding Cool – “The Handmaid’s Tale: LA Red Carpet Event Honors Final Season (Images).” Ms. Gloria Allred attended the Los Angeles red carpet event celebrating the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Ms. Allred was part of the group honoring the show’s impact at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

04.03.25 Fox 11 – The Issue Is - “Gloria Allred vs John Phillips (Full Debate on Trump, Musk, Harris & More).” Gloria Allred & John Phillips visit "The Issue Is: with host Elex Michaelson" to debate President Trump's tariffs, Elon Musk's role, the future of the Democratic Party, and the California Governor's race.

04.02.25 Beverly Press – “GLAAD Awards serve as rallying cry for LGBTQ+ community.” At the GLAAD Awards, attorney Gloria Allred stressed the urgency of activism, saying,” It’s a luxury to be depressed, to give up, to say there’s nothing we can do. We don’t have that luxury.” Ms. Allred reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for victims through legal action and protest, noting it’s needed “now more than ever.”

03.28.25 Variety – “’Agatha All Along,’ ‘Baby Reindeer’ and Cynthia Erivo Win Top Prizes at 2025 GLAAD Media Awards.” Attorney Gloria Allred and Robin Tyler attend the GLAAD Media Awards.

03.28.25 Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) – “GLAAD Media Awards 2025 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos: Doechii, Cynthia Erivo, Jojo Siwa, and More.” Attorney Gloria Allred and Robin Tyler at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held at The Beverly Hilton on March 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

03.27.25 Chalkbeat Philadelphia – “Graduate of one of America’s largest all-girls public high schools works to revive it.” Attorney Gloria Allred is mentioned as one of the notable alumnae of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, a reminder of the school’s legacy that current principal KaTiedra Argro hopes to honor and rebuild as she works to restore its reputation and attract new students.

03.27.25 TMZ Live – “Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ Releases First Trailer.” The video clip discusses the release of the trailer from “Rust,” in relationship to the tragic on set death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. Her parents and sister, represented by attorney Gloria Allred, have spoken out in opposition to the release of the film, as there has not yet been accountability achieved for Halyna’s death.

03.26.25 RadarOnline / Newsbreak – “Watch: Chilling First ‘Rust’ Trailer Filled with Shootings and Violence Released – Amid Alec Baldwin’s ‘Crocodile Tears’ on Reality Show Following Tragic Death of Halyna Hutchins.” Attorney Gloria Allred, representing Halyna Hutchins’ parents and sister, criticized Alec Baldwin for never apologizing to Halyna’s parents and sister, and condemned his reality show for focusing on his own life while ignoring the pain he caused by Hutchins’ death.

03.26.25 GLAAD – “Star Studded 2025 Latine Honors Lifts Up Queer Latine Representation Across Entertainment Ahead of 36th GLAAD Media Awards.” Attorney Gloria Allred is listed among the notable attendees for the upcoming 36th GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on March 27, 2025. The event will stream exclusively on Hulu beginning April 12, 2025.

03.26.25 The U.S. Sun – “First look at Alec Baldwin’s Rust after Halyna Hutchins was shot on set & her heartbroken mother refused to support movie.” The film Rust is now being set for release in May, 2025. It was on the set of Rust that cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was fatally shot when a prop gun used by Alec Baldwin contained a live round. Attorney Gloria Allred, representing the parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, indicated that Halyna’s mother refused to attend the festival premiere of the film in November. Ms. Allred also stated, “The decision not to even call the family to say he is sorry is cruel and dishonors Halyna and her memory.”

03.12.25 People – “Where is Halyna Hutchins’ Family Now? Inside Her Parents, Sister, Husband and Son’s Lives After the Fatal Rust Shooting.” On Oct. 21, 2021, producer and actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop gun containing a live round while filming Rust at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot on set, and taken to the hospital by helicopter but died from her wounds. The article discusses the heartbreaking loss of Halyna by her parents, sister, husband and son. Attorney Gloria Allred represents Halyna’s mother, father and sister in a civil lawsuit against Mr. Baldwin and the production, and stated, “It is long overdue for Alec Baldwin to admit and face the real-life consequences that he caused Halyna’s parents and sister. It is time for him to face reality under oath.”

03.06.25 Fox News – “Alec Baldwin’s ‘shameless’ reality show, attempt to rebrand bombs: experts.” A statement from attorney Gloria Allred says, “Alec Baldwin has compounded the pain of Halyna’s parents and sister by taking advantage of his increased fame and notoriety by monetizing it in a TLC reality show, where he takes on the role of victim after he shot and killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust.’”

03.05.25 Lawyer Monthly – “Alec Baldwin’s Suicidal Thoughts After Fatal Rust Shooting of Halyna Hutchins.” The Baldwin’s new reality show has drawn considerable criticism from the family of Halyna Hutchins through their attorney, Ms. Gloria Allred. They argue that by releasing the reality show, Mr. Baldwin is painting himself as a victim while failing to take responsibility for Halyna’s death.

03.05.25 New York Post – “Halyna Hutchins’ family slams Alec Baldwin’s ‘shameless’ TLC show, demands he testify in wrongful death lawsuit.” Attorney Gloria Allred and the parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins state, “It is long overdue for Alec Baldwin to admit and face the real-life consequences that he caused Halyna’s parents and sister. It is time for him to face reality under oath.”

03.05.25 The Today Show – “Halyna Hutchins’ Family Reacts to Alec Baldwin’s Reality Show.” The attorneys representing the parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, Gloria Allred, John Carpenter, Carlos Hernandez and Alina Vulic, said in a statement to NBC News that the deposition was scheduled for the Friday before Mother’s Day “because Halyna’s mother needs to hear Mr. Baldwin’s explanation under oath about what led to the death of her daughter.”

03.05.25 New York Daily News – “Halyna Hutchins’ family hits out at Alec Baldwin’s new reality show.” Attorney Gloria Allred questioned Mr. Baldwin’s new reality TV show in her statement, “Why is he claiming that he has PTSD? Is his reality show just a veiled attempt to create sympathy for himself with a future jury pool in our civil case? Is this just a shameless attempt to portray him as the real victim in this case?”

03.04.25 Daily Mail UK – “Alec Baldwin Slammed by Halyna Hutchins’ family as they make shock legal move amid his reality show.” Ms. Allred said that Mr. Baldwin’s new reality show, “The Baldwins” – showing him and wife Hilaria, 41, raising their seven young children – provides a sad juxtaposition in the wake of the fatal on-set shooting in New Mexico more than three years ago.

03.04.25 People – “Halyna Hutchins’ Family Demands Alec Baldwin Testify in Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Calls his TLC Show ‘Shameless.’”Attorney Gloria Allred, representing the parents and sister of late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has filed a notice of deposition requiring Alec Baldwin to testify on May 9, 2025 in their civil lawsuit. Halyna’s parents and sister criticized Mr. Baldwin’s new TLC reality series, “The Baldwins,” labeling it a “shameless” attempt to garner sympathy ahead of the trial. They also highlight that Mr. Baldwin has neither apologized nor accepted responsibility for Hutchins’ death.

03.04.25 Huff Post – “Alec Baldwin’s ‘Shameless’ Reality Show Slammed by ‘Rust’ Shooting Victim’s Family Lawyer.” Famed victims’ rights attorney Gloria Allred demanded Mr. Baldwin take accountability for the accidental shooting which took Hutchins’ life during the making of the film “Rust” in 2021 while accusing the actor of using his family’s new TLC reality show to portray himself as “the real victim.”

03.04.25 TMZ – “Reality TV Show Ripped to Shreds… By Halyna Hutchins’ Family Attorney.” Attorney Gloria Allred says that the Baldwin’s new reality TV show “celebrates Mr. Baldwin’s joy of being with his children while ignoring the fact that Alec Baldwin took a child away from her parents. That is the painful and actual reality with which Halyna’s parents and sister live each and every day.”

03.04.25 Los Angeles Times – “Alec Baldwin should testify in ‘Rust’ wrongful death suit, Gloria Allred says.” Attorney Gloria Allred, representing Halyna Hutchins’ parents and sister, has demanded that Mr. Baldwin testify on May 9, 2025 in their civil lawsuit. The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins criticize Mr. Baldwin for his lack of apology and question whether his TLC reality show is an attempt to gain sympathy before the trial.

03.04.25 The Hollywood Reporter – “Alec Baldwin to Be Deposed in Lawsuit From Halyna Hutchins’ Family Over ‘Rust’ Shooting.” Attorney for the parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, Gloria Allred, states that “It is long overdue for him [Mr. Baldwin] to testify under oath about what really happened that caused the death [of Ms. Hutchins].”

03.04.25 RadarOnline – “Alec Baldwin and His New Reality Show Destroyed By Halyna Hutchins’ Attorney as She Claims Actor Is ‘Ignoring the Pain’ He Caused Following Deadly ‘Rust’ Shooting.” Ms. Allred denounced the new show, saying it “celebrates Mr. Baldwin’s joy of being with his children while ignoring the fact that Alec Baldwin took a child away from her parents.”

03.04.25 The Wrap – “Halyna Hutchins’ Family Blasts ‘Shameless’ Alec Baldwin Series, Files Notice for Actor to ‘Face Reality Under Oath.’” Attorney Gloria Allred, representing Halyna Hutchins’ parents and sister, has filed a notice to depose Alec Baldwin on May 9, 2025, in their civil lawsuit. Ms. Allred says that “it is long overdue for Alec Baldwin to admit and face the real-life consequences that he caused Halyna’s parents and sister.”

03.04.25 USA Today – “Alec Baldwin felt suicidal after fatal ‘Rust’ shooting, wife Hilaria says.” Attorney Gloria Allred says, “Alec Baldwin has compounded the pain of Halyna’s parents and sister by taking advantage of his increased fame and notoriety by monetizing it in a TLC reality show, where he takes on the role of victim after he shot and killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’.”

02.23.25 GB News – “King Charles urged to address Prince Andrew speculation as the royal brother’s feud continues.” U.S. attorney Gloria Allred urged King Charles to address ongoing speculation about Prince Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, comparing the steady flow of revelations to a “drip, drip, drip” effect that fuels public uncertainty. Ms. Allred suggested the Royal Family could show commitment to victims of sexual violence by expressing sympathy and support. Allred also called on Prince Andrew to break his silence since his 2019 interview, insisting the public deserves transparency.

02.22.25 The Mirror—”King Charles must speak out over Prince Andrew’s links to paedo pal Epstein’, demands top lawyer.” Attorney Gloria Allred has called on King Charles to speak out regarding victims of sexual abuse, given the publication of an email written by Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein which was sent after the Prince indicated he was no longer in contact with Mr. Epstein. Ms. Allred’s message to the monarchy states, “We can handle the truth, and the public deserves the truth.”

01.29.25 Los Angeles Times – “50 Cent apparently finds it hilarious that Gloria Allred’s client is suing him for alleged assault.” Attorney Gloria Allred represents Guadalupe De Los Santos in a lawsuit against rapper 50 Cent and his entourage, alleging they struck the scooter-riding photographer with an SUV door.

01.22.25 Firstpost – “History Today: How Roe vs Wade battle unfolded in the US.” January 22 marks a historic day globally, highlighted by several significant events, including the landmark United States Supreme Court ruling on the Roe v. Wade case in 1973, which established a constitutional right to abortion and transformed reproductive rights in the United States at that time. Attorney Gloria Allred is pictured with Norma McCorvey, aka Jane Roe, in 1989. Ms. Allred represented Ms. McCorvey for many years when Ms. McCorvey wanted to speak publicly in support of a woman’s right to choose abortion.

01.21.25 Newsweek – “Can Rihanna Sway Jury in A$AP Rocky Trial?” Attorney Gloria Allred, known for her involvement in high-profile cases, provided insights to Newsweek regarding the influence of celebrity status on jury deliberations in the trial involving A$AP Rocky, who faces felony gun charges. Ms. Allred said, “Although jurors are instructed by the judge to consider only the evidence admitted by the court, it is human nature for many jurors to look at a celebrity sitting in the courtroom.” She added, “Even though jurors should not take those facts into consideration and even if jurors state that they will not consider that, some jurors will not be able to ignore it.”

01.20.25 Bishop Accountability – “Watching the Clock in California.” Gloria Allred represented “Jane Doe,” who accused Roman Polanski of sexually assaulting her in 1973 when she was 16. Enabled by California’s extended statute of limitations laws, the case was set for trial in 2025 but was settled confidentially. Ms. Allred, highlighting her steadfast advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse, described the settlement as mutually satisfactory.

01.04.25 Editorialge – “7 Famous Civil Rights Lawyers Who Made History.” Attorney Gloria Allred is featured in Editorialge’s article highlighting seven prominent civil rights attorneys. Renowned for her steadfast advocacy in women’s rights and anti-discrimination cases, Ms. Allred has built a distinguished career representing clients in high-profile cases involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, and gender discrimination. Her tireless efforts have brought critical attention to issues of inequality and injustice, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing figure in the fight for civil rights.

01.03.25 Lawdragon – “Lawdragon Announces 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees.” Gloria Allred, a trailblazing attorney and advocate for women’s rights, has been inducted into the 2025 Lawdragon Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes her groundbreaking legal career, including her work on high-profile cases advancing civil rights and fighting discrimination.

01.03.25 MSN/ KCRA3 – “Turlock man arrested in connection with juvenile molestation pleads not guilty.” In the case of James Hooker, attorney Gloria Allred played a significant role in representing a victim who came forward during the national attention surrounding Hooker in 2012. The victim alleged that Mr. Hooker had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with her when she was a 17-year-old high school student in 1998, while he was a teacher at Davis High School. Ms. Allred’s involvement in the case led to Hooker entering a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor charge of oral copulation. As a result, he was sentenced to four years of probation and required to register as a sex offender for the duration of his probation.

01.03.25 MSN / Irish Star – “Miss America under fire as woman sues pageant for ‘degrading’ exclusion.” Attorney Gloria Allred is representing a New York woman who has filed a lawsuit against the Miss America and Miss World pageants, challenging their longstanding rules that disqualify mothers from participating. Ms. Allred argues that these rules are discriminatory and outdated, emphasizing that being pregnant or a parent should not exclude someone from such competitions.