Harvey Weinstein’s criminal sexual assault case is scheduled to return on Wednesday to a Manhattan courtroom — and if Weinstein shows up he will be arraigned on a new indictment.
The charges remain sealed until Weinstein appears. The former movie mogul missed his last court date after being rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery.
Harvey Weinstein appears for a pretrial hearing in Manhattan criminal court, July 19, 2024, in New York.
Adam Gray/AP
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office presented to the grand jury allegations of three separate women who said Weinstein sexually assaulted them. Their allegations were not part of the initial trial of Weinstein that ended in a conviction, which was later overturned on appeal.
“We will do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault,” a spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement earlier this year, when the conviction was overturned.
Weinstein has denied all claims of sexual misconduct, saying his encounters were consensual.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer accused of multiple counts of sexual assault and harassment, is set to appear in a Manhattan court for arraignment on a new indictment. This latest development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Weinstein comes as prosecutors seek to add additional charges to the existing case against him.
Weinstein, once a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, has been accused by numerous women of sexual misconduct dating back decades. The allegations against him sparked the #MeToo movement, which has brought to light the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse in various industries.
The new indictment against Weinstein reportedly includes charges of predatory sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. This charge alleges that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior by using his power and influence to coerce women into unwanted sexual acts.
Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex and has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. His defense team has argued that the encounters in question were consensual and that the prosecution’s case is based on unreliable testimony.
The arraignment is expected to be a highly publicized event, with media outlets from around the world covering the proceedings. Weinstein’s appearance in court will likely draw a crowd of onlookers and supporters, as well as protesters and advocates for victims of sexual assault.
The outcome of this latest legal battle for Weinstein remains uncertain, but it is clear that the case has had far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry and beyond. The #MeToo movement has brought about a cultural shift in how allegations of sexual misconduct are handled, with more survivors feeling empowered to come forward and seek justice.
As Weinstein prepares to face the charges against him in court once again, the world will be watching to see how this chapter in his story unfolds. Whatever the outcome, the impact of his case on the conversation around sexual harassment and abuse is undeniable.
