After five days of deliberation, Harvey Weinstein was convicted Monday of rape and sexual assault, sealing his dizzying fall from powerful Hollywood studio boss and Democrat party mega-donor to convicted rapist.
The verdict followed weeks of often harrowing and excruciatingly graphic testimony from a string of accusers who told of rapes, forced oral sex, groping, masturbation, lewd propositions and how Hollywood’s casting couch works.
The case against the once-feared producer was essentially built on three allegations: that he raped an aspiring actress in a New York City hotel room in 2013, that he forcibly performed oral sex on another woman, production assistant Mimi Haleyi, at his apartment in 2006, and that he raped and forcibly performed oral sex on “Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra in her apartment in the mid-1990s.
The conviction was seen as a long-overdue reckoning for Harvey Weinstein after years of whispers about his behavior turned into a torrent of accusations in 2017 that destroyed his career and gave rise to #MeToo, the global movement to encourage women to come forward and hold powerful men accountable for their sexual misconduct.
Prosecutors Hit Roadblock, Forced to Hand Win to Arizona Rancher Accused of Killing Illegal Immigrant
Counter-Protesters Show Up at UCLA Encampment with Bananas – The Reason Why Is Hilarious
Johnson urges Biden to intervene in ICC’s reported plan for Netanyahu arrest warrant
Bill Maher Mocks Don Lemon to His Face for Trying to Play the Race Card: ‘C’mon’
Last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War lies in honor at US Capitol
Climate Activist Who Defaced Famous Work of Art Sentenced to Prison
Trial begins for 7 Minnesotans charged with stealing more than $40 million from pandemic food program
New federal transgender rules place women’s workplace rights ‘under attack,’ EEOC commissioner charges
Britney Spears Is in ‘Serious Danger of Going Broke,’ Deletes Instagram Account After Calling Out Family
Watch: Arizona State ‘Frat Boys’ Clear the Quad, Trash Anti-Israel Encampment
Scathing poll reveals what Biden has in common with these presidents who lost reelection battles
Outraged resident warns what $70M migrant funding will do to sanctuary city
China threatens retaliation for Taiwan, TikTok law signed by Biden
Palestinian Flag Replaces American Flag at Harvard Until Police Step In
Desperate House Democrats Attempt to End Columbia’s Anti-Israel Encampment, But It’s too Late for Them
Weinstein’s story ensnared several high-profile political figures, media moguls and publications, and left-wing organizations, many of whom the producer had given large donations to or supported in the past. Indeed, Harvey Weinstein had given $10,000 to Bill Clinton’s legal defense fund during the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal. The Clinton Foundation accepted some $250,000 in contributions from Weinstein. When asked, the organization said it couldn’t return the money because it had been used. The campaign for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in October 2017 that he would keep the more than $60,000 in donations he received from Harvey Weinstein. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), all said they would donate contributions they received from Weinstein over the years to charitable causes.
The jury of seven men and five women took five days to find him guilty.
Three additional women who said they, too, were attacked by Weinstein also testified as part of an effort by prosecutors to show a pattern of brutish behavior on his part.
Weinstein will reportedly remain in jail until his sentencing, set for March 11.
The New York Times reported:
The judge then announced that Mr. Weinstein would immediately be sent to jail to await his sentencing. But as court officers approached him, the producer seemed stunned and refused to move. Moments later, he was handcuffed and removed from the room, limping with two officers standing by his side.
Story cited here.
Scroll down to leave a comment:
