DALLAS (WP) - The sexual harassment storm has brought down another person - Vincent Cirrincione.

The man, who helped propel Halle Berry and Taraji P. Henson to stardom, is shutting down his management agency after he was accused of misconduct by nine women of colour.

Cirrincione, 70, said the move is to protect the actors he represents.

"This business is hard enough and I don't want to distract in any way from their careers or opportunities in the entertainment field," his statement said.

His accusers said he regularly dangled Berry's and later, Henson's, stardom as bait in an effort to get them to comply with his sexual requests.

Cirrincione told The Post that he accepts responsibility for pursuing sexual relationships but denies allegations that he sought sexual favours in exchange for representing actresses.

He apologised to the women but characterised all his interactions with women as "consensual".

Berry told The Post that she terminated her links with Cirrincione more than three years ago after hearing a radio report about a misconduct allegation.