Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer, was arraigned on an additional charge of criminal sexual act in the first degree in a New York City courtroom on Wednesday. The new charge stems from an alleged 2006 assault in a Manhattan hotel. Weinstein, who arrived in court in a wheelchair after recent heart surgery, pleaded not guilty to the charge. This new indictment comes ahead of his retrial scheduled for November 12, after his 2020 conviction was overturned by New York’s Court of Appeals.
Weinstein was previously convicted of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sex act in early 2020, but the sentence was vacated due to judicial errors, prompting the need for a retrial. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office continues its investigation, with several survivors, including Mimi Haley and Jessica Mann, ready to testify again. Over 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or harassment, sparking the #MeToo movement that has exposed abuses across multiple industries.
In addition to the New York case, Weinstein is also appealing a 16-year prison sentence from a 2022 Los Angeles trial where he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Despite these legal battles, Weinstein has maintained his innocence, claiming all encounters were consensual.
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