Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer, was arraigned on an additional sex crimes charge in a New York City courtroom two months before his retrial in his #MeToo case. The charge involved a criminal sexual act in the first degree, with Weinstein pleading not guilty. He is recovering from emergency heart surgery and taking 19 medications. Over 80 women have accused him of sexual assault, leading to the #MeToo movement. Weinstein has denied all claims, stating the encounters were consensual.
Weinstein was convicted in early 2020 of rape and criminal sex acts, but the verdict was overturned in April due to trial errors. A new trial is set for November 12, with some accusers, including Jessica Mann and Mimi Haley, planning to testify. Weinstein is also facing charges in Los Angeles and was found guilty in 2022, receiving a 16-year prison sentence.
Weinstein was once a powerful figure in the movie industry, producing award-winning films. However, his downfall came in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct were revealed in articles by The New York Times and The New Yorker. This led to a wave of accusations against other powerful men in various industries. Weinstein’s legal team is appealing the Los Angeles verdict, and he has chosen not to testify in his defense in both trials.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
