The Manhattan district attorney’s office has begun presenting evidence to a grand jury that could return a new indictment against Harvey Weinstein – as soon as Friday – over an alleged sexual assault that occurred sometime in a four-month time period between late 2005 and mid-2006 in a lower Manhattan residential building, according to a transcript of an unannounced court hearing this week.
Prosecutors also indicated during a hearing on Tuesday they were aware of two other potential offenses: a sexual assault in May 2016 in a hotel in Tribeca and a potential sexual assault that occurred at the Tribeca Grand hotel.
In this July 9, 2024, file photo, Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York.
Pool via Getty Images, FILE
Providing notice to the defense of potential offenses does not guarantee what charges a new indictment might contain. The grand jury’s term is scheduled to end Friday, at which point prosecutors could put potential charges to a vote.
A spokeswoman for the Manhattan DA’s office declined to comment.
Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, signaled during the hearing that Weinstein could testify himself before the grand jury.
“Mr. Weinstein is very, very seriously considering going — wheeling himself into the grand jury and letting the grand jurors see what he looks like these days,” Aidala said, according to the transcript.
Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing and has said his sexual encounters were consensual.
The New York Court of Appeals, in a 4-3 opinion, overturned his 2020 rape conviction. He remains held at Rikers Island while he appeals a conviction in Los Angeles.
The Manhattan DA’s office signaled this summer it would retry Weinstein and prosecutors revealed they had spoken to other alleged victims whose accounts were not part of the original case.
The trial is tentatively scheduled for this fall.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer whose downfall sparked the #MeToo movement, may be facing even more legal trouble as a grand jury in New York has been convened to consider potential new charges against him. This development comes after Weinstein was already convicted of rape and sexual assault in a highly publicized trial last year.
The grand jury, which consists of a panel of citizens who review evidence presented by prosecutors to determine whether there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges against an individual, will be looking into allegations of sexual misconduct that have surfaced since Weinstein’s initial trial. These new charges could potentially add to Weinstein’s already lengthy list of legal woes.
Weinstein’s downfall began in 2017 when numerous women came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him. The allegations spanned decades and included accounts of Weinstein using his power and influence in the entertainment industry to coerce women into unwanted sexual encounters. The revelations led to Weinstein being fired from his production company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
In 2020, Weinstein was convicted of rape and sexual assault in a landmark trial that was seen as a victory for the #MeToo movement. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, but his legal troubles are far from over. The new charges being considered by the grand jury could potentially result in additional prison time for Weinstein if he is found guilty.
The convening of a grand jury indicates that prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to pursue new charges against Weinstein. It also signals a continued commitment to holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions, particularly in cases of sexual misconduct.
Weinstein’s case has been a focal point in the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry. The #MeToo movement has brought attention to the prevalence of such behavior and has empowered survivors to come forward with their stories. The potential new charges against Weinstein serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their status or influence.
As the grand jury considers the evidence against Weinstein, the outcome of this latest legal battle remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the reckoning for Harvey Weinstein is far from over.
