Harvey Weinstein, the once-powerful Hollywood mogul, appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday to plead not guilty to a new assault charge.
The 72-year-old, who has been embroiled in numerous legal battles related to misconduct allegations, arrived in a wheelchair, appearing frail and unshaven after recently undergoing heart surgery. Weinstein, who was previously convicted of rape and assault, now faces additional accusations in what has become a prolonged and high-profile legal saga.
The latest charge was brought forward through a grand jury indictment, a legal process where ordinary citizens, working with prosecutors, review evidence to decide whether formal charges should be filed. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that this new allegation pertains to an incident that occurred between April 29 and May 6, 2006, at a hotel in lower Manhattan, where Weinstein is accused of assaulting a woman.
"Thanks to the courageous testimony of this survivor, we are able to charge Harvey Weinstein with another alleged violent assault," said Bragg in a statement. This new accusation adds to the long list of legal complaints Weinstein has faced since the first wave of public accusations against him in 2017, which triggered the global #MeToo movement. This movement brought worldwide attention to the issue of abuse and misconduct, especially in positions of power.
Weinstein's legal battles are far from over. Although his 2020 conviction for the rape of actress Jessica Mann and the assault of production assistant Mimi Haleyi was overturned by an appeals court in April, he is now preparing for a new trial in New York. The initial trial date was set for November 12, but due to unforeseen complications, the court deemed this timeline unrealistic. As a result, Judge Curtis Farber rescheduled the hearing for October 2.
More than 80 women have come forward to accuse Weinstein of harassment, assault, or rape, including well-known figures such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd. These allegations have permanently damaged Weinstein's reputation and have brought to light systemic issues of abuse within Hollywood and other industries.
Despite the overturned conviction, Weinstein remains incarcerated at New York's infamous Rikers Island prison. This is because he is also serving a 16-year sentence imposed by a California court for another case involving rape, a ruling his defense team is currently appealing. Nonetheless, Weinstein continues to face a cascade of legal challenges and the prospect of prolonged imprisonment.
