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.
Hasan Piker names pro-CCP tycoon Singham as financier of ‘political movements’ despite nonprofit veneer
Massie positions himself for potential political future after primary defeat: ‘I won’t be going away silently’
Trump-backed candidates score major boost from deep-pocketed AI Super PAC in upcoming primaries
How AIPAC’s spending strategy evolved, to the dread of anti-Israel Democrats and Republican detractors
Tulsi Gabbard honors wish of Gold Star wife to visit husband’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery
Trump flexes MAGA muscle in Texas Senate runoff clash between Cornyn and Paxton
Skydiver dies after midair collision with another jumper during group jump in Washington state
Dog accidentally fires shotgun, striking woman yards away during chaotic gas station stop
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner embraces democratic socialism at Bernie Sanders rally in Portland
Jacob Frey criticized for remembering George Floyd on Memorial Day, six years after death sparked riots
Widow of ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle Hits Back Against Dem Senate Candidate for ‘Making Things Up’
Watch: Trump Sums Up Memorial Day Better and Quicker Than Any President in Living Memory – Just 9 Words
President Trump Explains Importance of Memorial Day in Rousing Speech: ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’
Dem City Gave Muslim Group $35k and Didn’t Track How It Was Spent
Anti-ICE protesters clash with agents outside New Jersey detention center as Gov Sherrill denied entry
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.
