Harvey Weinstein today pleaded now not to blame to rape and sexual assault charges in a New York courtroom, your next step in a high-stakes prison struggle that the #MeToo movement hopes will end with the disgraced Hollywood mogul in the back of bars.
The 66-year-old producer, whose career imploded in a blaze of accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse from dozens of ladies that triggered a world reckoning about harassment in the place of work, may just resist 25 years in prison if convicted.
Weinstein, who appeared in court docket in a dark blazer, denims and a tie, uttered just a few phrases on the brief arraignment listening to in Manhattan. He has steadfastly denied all accusations of nonconsensual intercourse.
"Not guilty," he said in a barely audible voice when asked for his plea on the 3 counts he's going through. He additionally replied "Yes" several times because the judge reiterated the prerequisites of his monitored release.
Weinstein, the onetime Tinseltown powerbroker whose movies earned dozens of Oscars, used to be charged with rape and another intercourse crime in New York late final month, just about eight months after the first public allegations against him surfaced.
The twice-married father of 5 has been indicted for allegedly forcing a lady to accomplish oral intercourse on him in 2004, and for allegedly raping another at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
Benjamin Brafman, one in all America's maximum celebrated legal defense lawyers, did most of the talking for the mogul at his listening to today.
"Mr Weinstein is presumed innocent... however reprehensible the crime may be, it is also reprehensible to falsely accuse someone of rape," Brafman said. "We intend to fight this in the courtroom." Brafman said that the rape complaint got here from a lady who had a 10-year affair with Weinstein, but the information used to be now not confirmed.
The accusation of compelled oral intercourse comes from Lucia Evans, a advertising consultant who, in 2004, used to be an aspiring actress. She told her tale in October to a daily.
Evans said that Weinstein spoke to her of a conceivable role as a fashion on television truth show 'Project Runway'. prior to forcing her into oral intercourse.
Since October, just about 100 ladies have said they have been burdened or sexually abused by means of Weinstein over a duration of more than two decades.
Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are amongst more than two dozen actresses who say they have been sexually burdened by means of the producer. A couple of, together with Asia Argento and Rose McGowan, say they have been raped.
The #MeToo movement has observed people all over the world come forward with cases of sexual mistreatment, resulting in the downfall of robust males throughout industries, together with Oscar winner Kevin Spacey.
Weinstein has reportedly spent months in treatment for intercourse addiction. His model designer spouse, Georgina Chapman, has left him.
Weinstein stays free, having posted USD 1 million bail. He is wearing a GPS monitoring tool, and his travel is particular to the states of New York and Connecticut.
Weinstein already faces a slew of civil lawsuits, is reportedly under federal investigation, and his former studio has filed for chapter.
He may be under legal investigation in London and Los Angeles, but the legal charges in New York have been the first to be lodged.
Last week, 3 actresses filed a brand new lawsuit against Weinstein alleging sexual assault. They suggested other victims to come back forward and sign up for the complaint. Melissa Thompson, one of the crucial ladies filing the category motion lawsuit, said she used to be sexually assaulted by means of Weinstein all the way through a 2011 assembly to talk about a brand new advertising instrument.
The 66-year-old producer, whose career imploded in a blaze of accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse from dozens of ladies that triggered a world reckoning about harassment in the place of work, may just resist 25 years in prison if convicted.
Weinstein, who appeared in court docket in a dark blazer, denims and a tie, uttered just a few phrases on the brief arraignment listening to in Manhattan. He has steadfastly denied all accusations of nonconsensual intercourse.
"Not guilty," he said in a barely audible voice when asked for his plea on the 3 counts he's going through. He additionally replied "Yes" several times because the judge reiterated the prerequisites of his monitored release.
Weinstein, the onetime Tinseltown powerbroker whose movies earned dozens of Oscars, used to be charged with rape and another intercourse crime in New York late final month, just about eight months after the first public allegations against him surfaced.
The twice-married father of 5 has been indicted for allegedly forcing a lady to accomplish oral intercourse on him in 2004, and for allegedly raping another at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
Benjamin Brafman, one in all America's maximum celebrated legal defense lawyers, did most of the talking for the mogul at his listening to today.
"Mr Weinstein is presumed innocent... however reprehensible the crime may be, it is also reprehensible to falsely accuse someone of rape," Brafman said. "We intend to fight this in the courtroom." Brafman said that the rape complaint got here from a lady who had a 10-year affair with Weinstein, but the information used to be now not confirmed.
The accusation of compelled oral intercourse comes from Lucia Evans, a advertising consultant who, in 2004, used to be an aspiring actress. She told her tale in October to a daily.
Evans said that Weinstein spoke to her of a conceivable role as a fashion on television truth show 'Project Runway'. prior to forcing her into oral intercourse.
Since October, just about 100 ladies have said they have been burdened or sexually abused by means of Weinstein over a duration of more than two decades.
Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are amongst more than two dozen actresses who say they have been sexually burdened by means of the producer. A couple of, together with Asia Argento and Rose McGowan, say they have been raped.
The #MeToo movement has observed people all over the world come forward with cases of sexual mistreatment, resulting in the downfall of robust males throughout industries, together with Oscar winner Kevin Spacey.
Weinstein has reportedly spent months in treatment for intercourse addiction. His model designer spouse, Georgina Chapman, has left him.
Weinstein stays free, having posted USD 1 million bail. He is wearing a GPS monitoring tool, and his travel is particular to the states of New York and Connecticut.
Weinstein already faces a slew of civil lawsuits, is reportedly under federal investigation, and his former studio has filed for chapter.
He may be under legal investigation in London and Los Angeles, but the legal charges in New York have been the first to be lodged.
Last week, 3 actresses filed a brand new lawsuit against Weinstein alleging sexual assault. They suggested other victims to come back forward and sign up for the complaint. Melissa Thompson, one of the crucial ladies filing the category motion lawsuit, said she used to be sexually assaulted by means of Weinstein all the way through a 2011 assembly to talk about a brand new advertising instrument.
Harvey Weinstein indicted for rape and legal sexual act
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Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty
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Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 06, 2018
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