Top film producer Harvey Weinstein appeared to admit on Thursday to engaging in sexual harassment against women. Weinstein denied parts of the New York Times report that broke the story, but conceded his past behavior “caused a lot of pain,” announced he was taking a leave of absence from his company, and apologized. Though most of his power is concentrated in Hollywood, as a major donor to Democratic causes, Weinstein is powerful in Washington too.

The producer has developed deep ties to major Democrats by showering candidates and party organizations with frequent high-dollar donations. As of Thursday evening, some of those candidates have already begun unburdening themselves of his cash in anticipation of pressures brought on by the New York Times’ report on his record of sexual misconduct.