Hollywood manager who represented minority women accused of sexual misconduct

Vincent Cirrincione, a Hollywood manager for women like Halle Berry and Taraji Henson, is being accused of sexual misconduct by nine minority women, the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: The women say Cirrincione "took advantage of...young women of color seeking an entry into Hollywood." He was viewed as an "important gatekeeper for black actresses," into an industry primarily white. Per the Post, six of the nine women say after their encounters with Cirrincione, they dropped their pursuit of acting careers or "took extended breaks."

The allegations, per the Post:

• Three women accused him of requesting sex "as a condition for representing them," and declined to represent them when they protested.
• One woman said Cirrincione masturbated in front of her.
• Another told the Post he wanted her to sleep with him monthly in return for his help to advance her career.

In a statement, Cirrincione said: " I can say without a doubt that I have never used favors, sexual or otherwise, as a reason for managing anyone. I want to make it clear that not one of those relationships were anything but consensual...I was under the impression I was living my life as a supportive man to women. It is with a heavy heart that I see now I was wrong.”