Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on new criminal charges in New York, just days after undergoing emergency heart surgery. The announcement came on Thursday when Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg revealed that a grand jury had handed down the indictment, though specific details remain under wraps as the documents are sealed. The DA’s office plans to consolidate the new charges into a superseding indictment, which will be presented at Weinstein’s next court hearing scheduled for September 18.
Harvey Weinstein faces additional charges as he is indicted after health scarehttps://t.co/84qXh4hrW7 pic.twitter.com/VJIkRAQfBk
— MirrorUSNews (@MirrorUSNews) September 12, 2024
Weinstein, who was rushed to Bellevue Hospital from Rikers Island earlier in the week due to fluid in his lungs, is currently in stable condition following emergency heart surgery, according to his spokesperson. This health scare occurred as Weinstein continues to face legal battles stemming from his sexual assault convictions and accusations.
Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of rape and sexual assault in New York, but in April, a state appeals court overturned the conviction, citing “egregious errors” made during the trial. The court allowed prosecutors to call witnesses whose allegations were unrelated to the charges at hand. A retrial is tentatively set for November 13, sparking both outrage and support across the legal spectrum.
Lindsay Goldbrum, a lawyer representing six of Weinstein’s accusers, condemned the decision to overturn the conviction, calling it a “leap backward for the rule of law” that could deter future survivors from coming forward. Actress Ashley Judd, one of the first public accusers, echoed this sentiment, calling the ruling “unfair to survivors.” On the other hand, Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala praised the decision, framing it as a triumph for justice.
While Weinstein’s New York conviction was overturned, the 72-year-old is still serving a 16-year sentence for a separate conviction in Los Angeles for rape and sexual misconduct. He filed an appeal against this conviction in June, maintaining his long-standing claim that all sexual activity was consensual.
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer gives health update after emergency surgery https://t.co/EeT8cVmSik via @MailOnline
— Quinton G (@QuintonGodsell) September 10, 2024
The new indictment further adds to Weinstein’s extensive legal troubles, marking another chapter in his dramatic fall from grace. Once considered one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers with a legacy of award-winning films like Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, and Gangs of New York, Weinstein’s reputation was permanently tarnished in 2017 when multiple allegations of rape and sexual abuse surfaced, helping to fuel the global #MeToo movement.
Key Points:
i. Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on new criminal charges in New York, though details remain sealed.
ii. The indictment comes just days after Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery following a hospitalization for fluid in his lungs.
iii. Weinstein’s 2020 New York conviction for rape was overturned in April, with a retrial set for November 13.
iv. The decision to overturn his conviction has drawn criticism from survivors and praise from his defense team.
v. Despite the overturned conviction, Weinstein is serving a 16-year sentence for a separate conviction in Los Angeles and continues to deny all allegations.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News