Weinstein pleads not guilty in first court appearance

Harvey Weinstein, the film producer, yesterday pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom to rape and sexual assault charges related to crimes allegedly committed against two women.

His career imploded in a blaze of accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse from dozens of women that triggered the global #MeToo movement. He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Mr Weinstein, 66, who appeared in court, said few words at the arraignment hearing.

“Not guilty,” he said in a barely audible voice when asked for his plea. He also replied “yes” several times as the judge reiterated the conditions of his monitored release.

Mr Weinstein, whose films earned dozens of Academy Awards, was charged with rape and another sex crime in New York last month, nearly eight months after allegations against him first surfaced.

The twice-married father of five has been indicted for allegedly forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him in 2004 and for allegedly raping another at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.

But since October, nearly 100 women have said they were harassed or sexually abused by Mr Weinstein over a period of more than two decades.

Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are among more than two dozen actresses who say they were sexually harassed by the producer. A few, including Asia Argento and Rose McGowan, say they were raped.

The #MeToo movement has led people around the world to come forward with cases of sexual mistreatment, leading to the downfall of powerful men across industries, including the actor Kevin Spacey.

Mr Weinstein has steadfastly denied all accusations of nonconsensual sex.

He has reportedly spent months in treatment for sex addiction. His fashion designer wife, Georgina Chapman, has left him.

Benjamin Brafman, one of America’s most celebrated criminal defence lawyers, did most of the talking for Mr Weinstein at his hearing.

Mr Brafman claimed the rape complaint came from a woman who had a 10-year affair with Mr Weinstein.

The accusation of forced oral sex comes from Lucia Evans, a marketing consultant who, in 2004, was an aspiring actress. She told her story in October to The New Yorker.

Ms Evans said Mr Weinstein spoke to her of a possible role as a model on television reality show Project Runway, before forcing her into oral sex.

Mr Weinstein remains free, having posted US$1 million (Dh3.76m) bail. He is wearing a GPS monitoring device and his travel is restricted to New York and Connecticut.

Since October, nearly 100 women have said they were harassed or sexually abused by Mr Weinstein