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.
Rubio’s Federalist Society performance fuels 2028 fire: ‘If he runs, he’ll be formidable’
Storybook Wedding … in a Swamp? Couple Opts for a Shrek Wedding, Hoping for Their Happily Ever After
Chicago’s Chief Financial Officer Abruptly Quits Rather Than Be Forced to ‘Compromise’ Her ‘Integrity’
Rubio buoys conservative spirits after midterm rout: ‘Great things that last are built in decades, not election cycles’
Newly Released FBI Records Show Would-Be Trump Assassin Thomas Crooks Had Biden Material on His Device
Breaking: FAA Issues Ground Stop at All Airports ‘Due to Extraordinary Circumstance’
Push for new Democratic leadership overshadows celebrations at Denver confab
Tanker slams into docked New Orleans river cruiser carrying 129 passengers, sparking rescue
Rep Lauren Boebert projected to lose House seat in another Democratic flip
Former CIA Director John Brennan’s son arrested after FBI uncovers dozens of alleged child porn images
Chris Van Hollen rules out 2028 run to focus on ousting Chuck Schumer as Senate leader
Schumer’s leadership rival reveals major Senate rule change he’d pursue if elected
Pete Hegseth impeachment effort dies in the House as absent Democrats couldn’t beat the traffic
Animal rights activist attacks NYC horse carriage driver with skateboard during tirade, union says
Mossad Director Meets with US Officials in DC as Trump Resists Netanyahu’s Calls to Reignite Iran War: Report
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.
