Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced former Hollywood mogul, is facing a new indictment in New York, prosecutors announced on Monday. This latest development comes as Weinstein awaits trial on charges of rape and sexual assault.
The new indictment includes charges of predatory sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Weinstein is accused of sexually assaulting two women in separate incidents in 2013. The new indictment also includes two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree, one count of first-degree rape, and one count of third-degree rape.
Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, with allegations ranging from harassment to rape. The allegations against him sparked the #MeToo movement, which has led to a wave of accusations of sexual misconduct against powerful men in various industries.
Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex and has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His trial is scheduled to begin in September.
Prosecutors have asked the judge in the case to allow the new indictment to be added to the charges against Weinstein. They argue that the new charges are necessary to show a pattern of predatory behavior by Weinstein.
Weinstein’s legal team has criticized the new indictment, calling it a “desperate” move by prosecutors. They argue that the new charges are based on the same allegations as the original charges and are an attempt to prejudice the jury against Weinstein.
The new indictment comes as Weinstein’s legal team has been seeking to have the charges against him dismissed. They argue that the grand jury that indicted Weinstein was not properly instructed on the law and that some of the charges are based on witness testimony that is unreliable.
It remains to be seen how the new indictment will impact Weinstein’s upcoming trial. The case has already garnered significant media attention and is expected to be closely watched by the public.
Regardless of the outcome of the trial, the allegations against Weinstein have had a profound impact on the entertainment industry and have sparked a wider conversation about sexual harassment and abuse of power. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions and seeking justice for victims of sexual misconduct.
