Harvey Weinstein Has Been Formally Charged With Rape
His lawyer says he will plead not guilty.
Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein has been formally charged with rape.
The 66-year-old surrendered himself to New York City police on Friday, and has been charged with rape, sexual misconduct, sex abuse and the committing of a criminal sex act.
The charges are the first to be brought against Weinstein since the New York Times published an explosive report back in October last year detailing decades worth of sexual assault and harassment allegations against the Hollywood mogul. In the weeks and months that followed, dozens more women came forward, kicking off the #MeToo movement that is still making waves around the world.
At Weinstein’s arraignment, prosecutor Joan Illuzzi said the producer “used his position, money and power to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually”.
Judge Kevin McGrath set Weinstein’s bail at US$1 million, and forced him to hand over his passport. Weinstein will also be required to wear a monitoring device so police can track his location.
While he has admitted to some of the lesser allegations against him, Weinstein has always denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. His lawyer told reporters outside the courthouse that he would plead not guilty.
Prosecutors in New York say they may yet bring additional charges against Weinstein, who is also subject to ongoing criminal investigations in Los Angeles and London.
Following his arrest, a number of Weinstein’s accusers took to social media to celebrate.
We got you, Harvey Weinstein, we got you
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) May 25, 2018
Sending love to all my sisters today who stood up against a monster… so many emotions… I am proud of and grateful to you all.
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) May 25, 2018
Today Harvey Weinstein will take his first step on his inevitable descent to hell. We, the women, finally have real hope for justice. https://t.co/or8qGaNO93
— Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) May 25, 2018
It’s about time: Harvey Weinstein turned himself in this morning and is in police custody. Today, instead of focusing on him, I will be celebrating all of the powerful women out there. This is just the beginning #TheFutureIsFemalehttps://t.co/OexdY6U809
— Heather Graham (@imheathergraham) May 25, 2018
If convicted, Weinstein could spend up to 25 years in prison. He will be back in court on July 30.