Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein could be charged with new fees for “other violent sexual assaults,” a prosecutor said Tuesday at an initial hearing.
U. S. Attorney Nicole Blumberg said her team will seek a new indictment for several alleged sexual assault incidents when she appears before Judge Curtis Farber in New York state criminal court in Manhattan.
“We spoke with several other people who claimed Weinstein raped them in Manhattan,” Blumberg said at the hearing.
Blumberg said the incidents fell within the statute of limitations for prosecution.
“As we said in 2020, some women were not in a position to initiate legal proceedings. Some of those women are now in a position to do so,” Blumberg said.
The option of new patients emerging was also raised by the prosecution during a hearing on May 29.
Prosecutors are not yet in a position to send the indictment to the grand jury as they continue to investigate the allegations.
Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley and raping actress Jessica Mann. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, but his conviction was overturned in April of this year.
The New York Court of Appeals ruled that Judge James Burke, who presided over the trial, made a serious error by allowing 3 women who were included in the fees to testify about alleged assaults.
Weinstein’s retrial is expected to begin in the fall. He denied having had non-consensual encounters with anyone.
Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s lawyer, argued that it was not fair for prosecutors to charge fees after the conviction was overturned. He also said he was confident that no more accusers would be discovered to help the prosecution.
“They have a defendant and they’re looking for crimes,” Aidala said. “This is not the case. “
Weinstein is currently being held at Rikers Island in New York. The 72-year-old has faced several medical problems in prison, in addition to core disorders and diabetes. He entered the courtroom in a wheelchair and did not speak at the hearing.
He was also convicted of rape in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years in prison, but his lawyers welcome the decision. In the appeal filed last month, they claim he did not get a fair trial.
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Jenna Sundel is a Newsweek reporter in New Jersey. Its objective is to inform the most recent news. Jenna joined Newsweek in 2024. She graduated from Montclair State University. You can contact Jenna by emailing j. sundel@newsweek. com. Languages: English.
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