Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul, has been indicted on additional sex crime charges in New York. Multiple accusers are set to testify against the 72-year-old, but the details of the indictment will not be disclosed until his arraignment, expected on September 18.
Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, expressed frustration, stating they are unaware of the exact accusations, locations, or timing related to the new charges.
This latest indictment follows Weinstein’s recent emergency heart surgery, where fluid was removed from his heart and lungs, leaving him in recovery at Bellevue Hospital.
Weinstein is also facing a retrial for his 2020 conviction on rape and sexual assault charges involving two women, which was overturned by New York’s highest court in April.
The retrial is scheduled for November 12, 2024. Last week, prosecutors revealed they were presenting evidence to a grand jury on up to three additional allegations against Weinstein, dating back to the mid-2000s.
It remains unclear if these new charges relate to those allegations. Prosecutors hope to combine the new charges with the original case for a joint trial.
Weinstein’s legal team has accused prosecutors of attempting to strengthen their case by adding new charges involving different accusers.
They argue they will not be prepared for a November trial if the new charges are included, raising concerns about fairness. Meanwhile, prosecutors in the UK recently dropped two indecent assault charges against Weinstein from 2022, citing a lack of realistic chances for conviction.
These developments add to the long list of legal challenges Weinstein has faced since the #MeToo movement brought his alleged misconduct to light in 2017.
Despite the mounting accusations, Weinstein has consistently maintained that any sexual activity was consensual.
After serving a 23-year prison sentence following his 2020 conviction, the conviction was overturned, leading to his current legal battles.
Weinstein was also convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 on another rape charge, for which he received a 16-year sentence. His legal team is appealing that verdict, claiming that he did not receive a fair trial.
Weinstein’s recent health issues have complicated the process, with a judge granting his request to remain at Bellevue Hospital rather than return to Rikers Island jail.
Once one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures, Weinstein co-founded Miramax and The Weinstein Company, producing iconic films like Pulp Fiction and The Crying Game.
His fall from grace has been swift and public, as allegations from numerous women continue to emerge, reshaping both his personal legacy and the broader conversation on sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
