Weinstein expected to surrender to authorities in NY
Ex-producer to face criminal charges
Harvey Weinstein is expected to turn himself in to face charges in New York related to allegations of sexual assault, in what would mark the first criminal charges faced by the disgraced former movie mogul, sources familiar with the case said Thursday.
The sources said the case involved but not might be limited to actress Lucia Evans, who alleged that Weinstein assaulted her during a meeting at his Miramax office in 2004. Evans told the New Yorker last year that Weinstein said during a meeting that she’d “be great on ‘Project Runway’ ” before allegedly forcing her to perform oral sex.
Weinstein has been accused by more than 80 women of misdeeds including sexual harassment and rape. Police in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York and London have conducted investigations into more than 20 allegations. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors in New York and LA have been developing cases against Weinstein, but sources have said for weeks that New York authorities were closest to bringing charges.
The sources said they were not clear on the scope of the charges New York prosecutors are planning.
The charges would make a major milestone in the #MeToo movement, which has sparked numerous accusations of misconduct by powerful men in Hollywood and other industries and numerous criminal investigations but few actual criminal charges.
LA County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s team is reviewing two investigations into Weinstein by Beverly Hills police, as well as three LAPD investigations of the onetime producer, including an Italian actress’ allegation of rape in 2013.
According to law enforcement sources, detectives believe that case is promising for prosecution because the woman told her story to three people, including a priest, relatively soon after the alleged attack. LAPD detectives have also obtained bills showing the woman was a guest at the Beverly Hills hotel where she claims Weinstein attacked her, sources said.