Actor Michael Douglas has been accused of s**ually harassing and masturbating in front of a former employee, according to journalist Susan Braudy.

Braudy, who previously worked for Douglas’s production company Stonebridge Productions, revealed the allegations in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Douglas had already denied accusations made by an unnamed former employee when he spoke to Deadline the previous week.

Braudy alleges that Douglas frequently s**ually harassed her and commented on her appearance.

She claims that he also spoke openly about his s**ual relationships with actress Kathleen Turner and a European heiress.

Braudy says that Douglas made inappropriate comments about her clothing and behavior, including asking why she dressed like a “pregnant nun”.

She also claimed that he made suggestive comments about her s** life and shouted to a group of agents, “Oh yeah, she’s a screamer!

I bet she screams in the sack.” Braudy alleges that Douglas masturbated in front of her during a script discussion in 1989.

Following the incident, their relationship deteriorated and Braudy was dismissed from her role at Stonebridge Productions later that year.

Braudy states that Douglas requested that she sign a confidentiality agreement, but she declined.

Douglas responded to Braudy’s allegations by calling them “an unfortunate and complete fabrication”.

He acknowledged that their discussions were inappropriate but denied Braudy’s claim that she had worked in a hostile environment.

In a statement, Douglas said that: “Coarse language or overheard private conversations with my friends that may have troubled her are a far cry from harassment.

Suggesting so does a true disservice to those who have actually endured s**ual harassment and intimidation.”

The allegations against Douglas follow numerous claims of s**ual misconduct in the entertainment industry that have surfaced since October 2017.

The #MeToo movement, which encourages victims of s**ual harassment and assault to come forward, has been credited with opening up the issue for public discussion.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Braudy said that she had not come forward sooner because of the difficulty women face when accusing powerful men.

“These are some reasons why so many women don’t come forward with their stories – Lord knows it’s taken 30 years and a movement for me to gather my courage,” she said.

Douglas is one of several high-profile figures in the entertainment industry to have faced allegations of s**ual misconduct.

In November 2017, comedian Louis CK admitted to s**ual misconduct in an interview with The New York Times.

Actor Kevin Spacey has been accused of harassment and assault by multiple individuals, leading to his removal from the Netflix series House of Cards.

Director Woody Allen has also faced renewed allegations of s**ual abuse, which he denies.

The entertainment industry has responded to the allegations with a range of measures, including the launch of a new legal defence fund called Time’s Up.

The fund aims to provide legal support for victims of s**ual misconduct who cannot afford their own lawyers.

The accusations against Douglas have been made public during an ongoing conversation around s**ual harassment in the US and beyond.

In recent months, numerous high-profile individuals from a variety of industries have faced accusations of harassment and assault.

The allegations against Douglas highlight the prevalence of s**ual harassment in the entertainment industry, and the importance of creating a safe and respectful working environment for all employees.

However, Douglas’s denial of the allegations shows the difficulties that may be faced by those seeking to hold powerful individuals accountable for their actions.