Harvey Weinstein to Face Arraignment on New Sex Crimes Charges

Harvey Weinstein to Face Arraignment on New Sex Crimes Charges

Harvey Weinstein is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, September 21, 2023, for an arraignment on a new indictment that charges him with up to three additional sex offenses. The former movie mogul is expected to appear in person, following his recovery from emergency heart surgery.

Details of the New Charges

The new indictment, which will remain sealed until Weinstein’s arraignment, includes charges stemming from alleged assaults that occurred in the mid-2000s at the Tribeca Grand Hotel (now known as the Roxy Hotel) and a Lower Manhattan residential building, as well as a third incident in May 2016 at a Tribeca hotel. Prosecutors have disclosed that the grand jury heard evidence of these alleged crimes.

Weinstein’s Pending Trials

While facing these new charges, Weinstein also awaits retrial in his landmark #MeToo case. New York’s highest court overturned his 2020 conviction after finding that the trial judge had allowed testimony against him that was not directly related to the charges. The retrial is scheduled to begin on November 12, 2023. Prosecutors intend to incorporate the new charges into the retrial, but Weinstein’s lawyers oppose this move.

Weinstein’s Response

Weinstein has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming that all sexual activity was consensual. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, has expressed uncertainty about the specific allegations against his client since the indictment remains sealed.

Weinstein’s Medical Status

Following emergency surgery on September 9, 2023, to drain fluid around his heart and lungs, Weinstein has been receiving medical treatment at a Manhattan hospital. A judge has ruled that he may remain indefinitely in the prison ward at Bellevue Hospital, rather than being transferred back to the infirmary ward at Rikers Island jail complex.

Weinstein’s Hollywood Legacy

Before the allegations that led to his downfall, Weinstein was a powerful figure in Hollywood. He co-founded Miramax and The Weinstein Company, producing critically acclaimed films such as “Shakespeare in Love” and “The Crying Game.” However, his career and reputation have been shattered by the numerous accusations of sexual misconduct against him.