Harvey Weinstein has been formally charged for a number of misconduct and assault claims. The producer turned himself into police.
Movie producer Harvey Weinstein turned himself in and has been charged after police launching an inquiry for a number of misconduct allegations.
After a month-long inquiry, Weinstein will finally have to face justice. More than a decade of scandals was buried up until a New York Times reporter dug up the shocking story on Oct. 5, 2017, exposing multiple counts of alleged assault and harassment.
A prosecutor told the judge this morning: "The defendant used his position, money and power to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually."
After The New York Times published the story in 2017, 71 actresses, female artists and female workers came forward to share their horrific memories of Weinstein’s sexual misconducts. The New York Times mentioned that prosecutors in Manhattan will investigate the case of Lucia Evans, who accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex on him during a business meeting in 2004. The prosecutors will also follow the case of actress Paz de la Huerta, who was raped by Weinstein in her New York home in 2010. It’s unclear if charges in regards to other victims will be pressed or not.
Weinstein's lawyer - Benjamin Brafman said Weinstein intended to move very quickly with the charges because he is not guilty. He called them "constitutionally flawed" and "not factually" supported. During a brief court appearance this Friday's morning, Harvey Weinstein remained silent. His lawyer agreed that he will post a $1 million bail and wear an electronic monitoring device, according to New York Times. Weinstein also had to surrender his passport and he cannot travel beyond New York and Connecticut.
Weinstein had been reportedly spending much of his time at a rehabilitation facility in Scottsdale, Arizona prior to the arrest. The 66-year-old disgraced producer handed himself in this morning and he was handcuffed from the police station to the court. His actions have alerted the public to the culture of abuse in Hollywood. What is left of the Weinstein Company, from which he was fired, will be sold to the right bidder. This revelation also tore his family apart as his wife- designer Georgina Chapman demanded a divorce.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have encouraged other victims to come forward.