Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who faces up to 28 years in prison on rape charges, was indicted on Monday, January 6, 2020, in Los Angeles. On the same day, his other sexual assault trial began in New York City, where the well-known filmmaker faces five felony charges involving two victims.
Los Angeles County Charges
In Los Angeles, Weinstein was charged in two separate cases for incidents over a two-day period in 2013. In each case, he was charged with felony counts for forcible assault involving rape, oral copulation, sexual penetration and sexual battery by restraint.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey commended the victims for coming forward and encouraged all victims of sexual violence to report these encounters as well. Additionally, the District Attorney stated, “We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims.”
Beverly Hills Assault Incidents
One of the alleged rape incidents occurred on February 18, 2013, in which the prosecutor says Weinstein sexually assaulted her after pushing his way into her hotel room after they had attended a film festival.
The following evening, according to the prosecutor, another woman agreed to meet with the film producer along with another female acquaintance in a Beverly Hills hotel restaurant. He then invited the two women to his hotel suite. They followed him there into his bathroom, as one woman shut the door behind her, locking the other out.
Weinstein then removed his clothes, took a shower, held her breast as he masturbated on the floor. He then let her leave the bathroom, according to the prosecutor. One of these women is expected to testify in the New York trial.
Similar Complaints About Weinstein
Since 2017 several women have reported they were victimized by Weinstein and have filed complaints against him, according to Beverly Hills Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli. One victim reported she was assaulted in February 2013 by Weinstein at the Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel following her attendance at the 8th Annual Los Angeles Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest. The woman told the Los Angeles Times that Weinstein bullied his way into her room, grabbed her by the hair and then dragged her in the bathroom and raped her.
District Attorney Lacy announced 8 additional charges of alleged sexual battery against Weinstein, in which four were in Los Angeles and four were in Beverly Hills.
Weinstein’s Film History
Weinstein is widely known as the co-founder of entertainment giant Miramax and producer of blockbuster films such as Sex, Lies, and Videotape, The Crying Game and Pulp Fiction.