‘Harvey a Tiger, but not a rapist’

HARVEY Weinstein’s lawyer has made an astonishing comparison between the disgraced movie mogul and “sex addict” golfer Tiger Woods, saying it was not the same thing as “being a rapist”.

“Tiger Woods is a sex addict. You don’t see him in a criminal courtroom. Being a sex addict and being a rapist are different things,” Weinstein’s lead lawyer, Donna Rotunno, told the Manhattan Supreme Court jury which will decide his fate on rape charges.

In 2010, Woods checked into a sex-addiction rehabilitation clinic following a notorious sex scandal that led to the end of his marriage with Elin Nordegren.

Ms Rotunno made the jawdropping reference to Woods after spending hours attempting to discredit Weinstein’s accusers as the #Metoo-era trial moves towards a verdict.

Weinstein, 67, (pictured) faces two counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of rape and one count of a criminal sex act stemming from allegations made by one-time aspiring actor Jessica Mann, former Project Runway production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi and The Sopranos actor Annabella Sciorra. The jury is to begin deliberations next week.

Jurors were urged to be “unpopular” by Ms Rotunno and acquit the former Hollywood titan of the charges, all of which he denies.

“From an overzealous media, from an overzealous prosecution, you are being asked to make an unpopular decision,” Ms Rotunno said.

“Never let your emotion cloud your intellect.

“Use your New York City common sense. It will guide you to the right answer.”

She suggested Sciorra – whose allegations are too old to be considered by the court – only alleged sexual assault against Weinstein in a bid to revive her career.

“She becomes relevant and she becomes a star,” Ms Rotunno said of Sciorra.

“She has new agents. And now she’s the darling of the movement.”

Ms Rotunno also challenged the claims of Mann and Haleyi, referring to affectionate emails they sent the producer after the alleged assaults.

She argued the women had willingly engaged in sex with Weinstein because they thought he would help their acting careers, and accused the prosecutors of using the women in a fervent effort to imprison Weinstein.