The Los Angeles District Attorney charged convicted rapist and former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein Friday with sexual assault, yet again. Weinstein is facing six new charges in Los Angeles, bringing his total to eleven. In the chaotic news cycle dominating this week, Weinstein’s latest charges have gotten a little lost in the shuffle. However, it’s important to remember the fate of the man who’s crimes kicked off the monumental #MeToo movement.
The Charges
In addition to Weinstein’s existing charges, he is now facing six more counts of sexual assault. The charges consist of three counts of forcible rape and three counts of forcible oral copulation. This brings his total charges in Los Angeles to: four counts of forcible rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual battery by restraint, and one count of sexual penetration by use of forceWeinstein’s latest charges once again are centered around an unnamed Beverly Hills hotel.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, the latest accusations helped prosecutors build a “compelling criminal case” against Weinstein.
Weinstein is now facing a total of 11 charges in California. His charges involve five different women between 2004 and 2013, just in LA county.
“Harvey Weinstein has always maintained that every one of his physical encounters throughout his entire life have been consensual. That hasn’t changed.” said a spokesman for Weinstein, although the spokesman wouldn’t comment on additional charges until Weinstein had time to review them.
A court already sentenced Weinstein to 23 years for rape and sexual assault in New York. If a jury finds him guilty of the charges he faces in Los Angeles, Weinstein could face up to 140 years in state prison.
Due to COVID-19, Weinstein’s extradition proceedings have been delayed. Prosecutors originally asked that he be moved to California in March. However, a new extradition hearing has been set for December 11.
Weinstein currently resides at Wende Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Alden, New York.
