NEW YORK, United States (AFP) – Disgraced American film producer Harvey Weinstein is facing a new set of charges, according to multiple US media outlets. The charges were announced just days after Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery, adding another chapter to his extensive legal and health troubles.
The new indictment of the 72-year-old, who has already been convicted of sex crimes in both New York and California, was brought by a Manhattan grand jury. This development was reported by the New York Post and the New York Times. The specific details of the indictment are currently under seal, but were revealed by prosecutors during a Thursday court hearing before Judge Curtis Farber.
Weinstein, who has been a central figure in the #MeToo movement since 2017, did not attend the hearing due to his medical condition. Judge Farber stated that Weinstein would be arraigned on September 18, provided his health permits.
On Monday, Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital from New York’s Rikers Island prison where he underwent emergency heart surgery. His spokesman, Juda Engelmayer, told AFP that Weinstein remains “weak” but is now “out of danger.” Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, emphasized the severity of his client’s condition, stating that Weinstein “almost died.”
Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year sentence following a conviction for rape charges in California. Additionally, in 2020, he was convicted in New York for the rape and sexual assault of actor Jessica Mann and for forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for those crimes. However, an appeals court overturned that conviction in April, and Weinstein now awaits a retrial.
Despite his attempts to maintain a brave face, Weinstein’s court appearances in recent years have shown him to be frail and often confined to a wheelchair. His visibly deteriorating health has drawn attention during his numerous legal battles.
Weinstein’s precipitous fall from one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers to a convicted felon began in 2017 when allegations against him helped spark the #MeToo movement. Over 80 women, including prominent actors like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd, have accused him of harassment, sexual assault, or rape. Weinstein has consistently claimed that all sexual relations in question were consensual.
As Weinstein prepares for what could be additional legal confrontations, the world continues to watch closely. His case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about sexual misconduct and abuse of power, a discussion that has already led to significant cultural and societal shifts.
