Weinstein faces life in jail on new charges
Indictments lodged against film mogul in New York include charge of predatory sexual assault
HARVEY WEINSTEIN could spend the rest of his life in prison if he is convicted of new charges lodged by prosecutors in New York yesterday morning.
The fresh indictments include predatory sexual assault, which attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a third woman in addition to two mentioned in earlier charges.
Weinstein, 66, once one of the film world’s most important figures, had already pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and a criminal sexual act, carrying sentences of up to 25 years.
Cyrus Vance, Manhattan district attorney, called for any other alleged victims to come forward.
“A Manhattan grand jury has now indicted Harvey Weinstein on some of the most serious sexual offences that exist under New York’s penal law,” he said. “This indictment is the result of the extraordinary courage exhibited by the survivors who have come forward.”
Predatory sexual assault is often used by prosecutors who believe they can establish a pattern of behaviour and attracts a minimum of 10 years in prison.
The updated indictment also alleges that he “engaged in oral sex by forcible compulsion” around July 10 2006. It is understood that the alleged victim gave her evidence to a grand jury on Friday.
It brings the total number of charges to six. A representative for Weinstein had no immediate comment. One of the alleged victims in the existing criminal case, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004.
Weinstein has been free on $1million (£762,000) bail after surrendering to police in May.
The New York cases are the first to be tested in court since scores of women came forward with complaints. In all, more than 70 women have accused the Miramax film studio’s cofounder of sexual misconduct, including rape, since the first allegations surfaced in October.
The Weinstein Company’s board fired him, the company filed for bankruptcy in March, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expelled him. In years past, the academy showered him with Oscars for a string of films that helped define independent cinema in the Nineties, including Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction.
Weinstein initially went to Arizona for sex addiction therapy. However, he is now required to wear an ankle monitor and remain in New York state or Connecticut as he awaits a trial date.
The Metropolitan Police in London and prosecutors in Los Angeles have also said they are investigating allegations against Weinstein. He has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
Weinstein is due to enter a plea to the new charges next Monday. Benjamin Brafman, his lawyer, said: “Mr Weinstein will enter a plea of not guilty to the new charges. Mr Weinstein maintains that all of these allegations are false and he expects to be fully vindicated.”