Harvey Weinstein Hit With New Sexual Battery Charge, Could Get 29 Years If Convicted
Harvey Weinstein Hit With New Sexual Battery Charge, Could Get 29 Years If Convicted
Harvey Weinstein’s legal troubles didn’t end with his 23-year sentence for sexual assault.
The disgraced movie producer is now being charged with sexual battery by force in Los Angeles. The alleged incident, according to reports, took place in May 2010.
Prior to that charge, he was looking at forcible rape, sexual penetration by use of force, sexual battery and forcible opal copulation charges, which are all felonies, in Los Angeles.
The alleged victim in the recent charge was initially considered as a witness for the previous four felonies and proved last month that her alleged assault happened within the last 10 years, so the statute of limitations hasn’t run out yet. He’s looking at up to 29 years if he’s found guilty.
He was also accused by two other women, but those charges weren’t pursued because they didn’t want to take the stand.
L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey said,
“As we gather corroborating evidence, we have reached out to other possible sexual assault victims. If we find new evidence of a previously unreported crime, as we did here, we will investigate and determine whether additional criminal charges should be filed.”
The D.A.’s office in L.A. wants temporary custody of Harvey Weinstein, who’s currently serving his sentence in New York City. But because of the spread of COVID-19 and travel restrictions, it’s not for certain if this move will happen. In the meantime, he’s slated to be arraigned when he gets to California, whenever that might be.
Interestingly enough, Harvey Weinstein was reportedly diagnosed with the coronavirus last month.
He spoke out about his current 23-year sentence shortly after it made headlines.
“I feel remorse for this situation. I feel it deep in my heart. I’m really trying to be a better person. I would do a lot of things over. I would care less about the movies, and care more about my children and my family…I may never see my children again.”
What do you think about the new charges against Harvey Weinstein? Tell us in the comments.