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.
Michigan Democrat confirms sister-in-law’s terror watchlist lawsuit days before Obama campaign appearance
Top takeaways from JD Vance town hall: Costly gas, DC corruption, immigration hot takes and the war
Bend school district honors slain teacher, praises staff member’s courage during attack: ‘Forever grateful’
Breaking: Truck Plows Through Youth Soccer Game in ‘Mass Casualty Incident,’ One Child Among Deceased
ICYMI: Omar Corruption Concerns Are Bipartisan – The Biden Admin Investigated Her First
Child among 2 killed after vehicle drives onto soccer field at Kansas sports complex
Bombshell Video Catches Reported Insiders Admitting Somalis Are Paying For, Harvesting Omar Votes
Obama Presidential Hits Jaw-Dropping Total Cost of Over $1 Billion, Tripling Past Estimates
Ilhan Omar’s Husband Snaps at Reporters Asking if She’s Fled the Country Amid Intense Federal Investigation
The Woman Who Exposed Ilhan Omar’s Birthdate Discrepancy Speaks Out
Man shot and killed inside New York City subway station in Midtown Manhattan: NYPD
California diners are cutting back as costs soar — but restaurant owner reveals one trend that’s booming
Watch: Stunt Chopper at Navy SEAL Fundraiser Thrills Guests With Small Explosions and Red, White and Blue Smoke Show
Hero Dad Who Stopped Oregon School Shooting Doesn’t Want an Award, Tragically Feels Guilt Over Not Saving More
‘Moderate’ AG’s office turned to groups that spent years suing prisons for recruiting help: emails reveal
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.
