FEDS EYE HARV
Producer’s att’y reveals probe in serial sex raps
HARVEY WEINSTEIN is being investigated by federal prosecutors in connection with his alleged serial sexual abuse of women.
The disgraced former film mogul’s attorney Benjamin Brafman said Wednesday he has met with Manhattan federal prosecutors and plans to meet with them again in the coming weeks “in an attempt to dissuade them from proceeding.”
“Mr. Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in nonconsensual sexual acts,” Brafman said.
The feds are examining whether Weinstein, 66, committed a federal sex crime, which would likely involve him persuading one of his alleged victims to cross state lines, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Daily News previously reported that the NYPD is prepared to arrest Weinstein but is waiting on the go-ahead from Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.
The case authorities are looking to pin on Weinstein involves Lucia Evans, a college student and aspiring actress, who says she was forced to perform oral sex on Weinstein inside his Tribeca office in 2004 despite repeatedly telling him “no.”
The NYPD is also investigating a rape claim against the portly producer from actress Paz de la Huerta. The “Boardwalk Empire” star told cops Weinstein raped her twice in her apartment in 2010. More than 50 women accuse Weinstein (photo inset) of sexual harassment or assault, including A-list actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Angelina Jolie. Actresses Annabella Sciorra, Rose McGowan and Asia Argento have said Weinstein raped them. Other women have alleged he solicited sexual favors and threatened to ruin their Hollywood careers if they did not submit to his sick desires.
Weinstein is under criminal investigation in New York, Los Angeles and London for allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape.
He also faces dozens of lawsuits on both sides of the country, as well as overseas.
Vance has been criticized for his handling of the Weinstein allegations.
“Police evaluate arrests based on probable cause, whereas prosecutors must make sure they can prove to a jury that every element of a criminal statute was violated beyond a reasonable doubt — a much higher standard,” a Vance spokesman said.