Asia Argento has responded to an allegation she sexually assaulted her 'The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things' co-star Jimmy Bennett when he was 17.



The 42-year-old actress had accused disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein of raping her at the Cannes Film Festival when she was 21, but she went from victim to alleged predator this week after The New York Times published details of her apparent assault.



The publication claimed that in 2013, Asia had sex with Jimmy in a California hotel room two months after he turned 17, and paid him $380,000 after he threatened to sue her for $3.5m in damages, citing emotional distress, lost wages and sexual assault.



But now, Asia has denied the allegation and said her boyfriend at the time, the late chef Anthony Bourdain, had given Jimmy the money in order to help him out when he found himself in a tough financial situation.



In a lengthy statement, Asia said: "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett …



Bennett unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me. Anthony insisted the matter be handled privately and this was also what Bennett wanted. Anthony was afraid of the possible negative publicity that such a person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us …



We decided to deal compassionately with Bennett's demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life."