Weinstein Indicted On Rape and Sexual Battery Charges In Los Angeles
Harvey Weinstein leaves court on January 6, 2020 in New York City. (Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
On the same day that disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s criminal trial on charges of rape and sexual assault began in New York City, he was indicted on sex crimes charges in Los Angeles.
FRONTLINE’s 2018 documentary Weinstein examined allegations that Weinstein sexually harassed and abused women over a period spanning decades, and traced efforts by him and others to silence his accusers.
Weinstein has continued to deny any criminal or non-consensual sexual conduct and pleaded not guilty to the charges in New York.
On Monday, Weinstein was charged with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents dating back to 2013, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey. He was charged with one felony count each of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraint.
“We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them,” Lacey said in a statement. “I want to commend the victims who have come forward and bravely recounted what happened to them.”
According to the L.A. County D.A.’s office, the alleged incidents took place on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19, 2013. If convicted, he would face 28 years in prison.
A spokesman for Weinstein didn’t immediately return a call seeking a comment.
At a press conference on Monday, Lacey said said that eight women had come forward to report being sexually assaulted by Weinstein in Los Angeles County. Three of those alleged crimes took place outside of the statute of limitations, but Lacey said they would continue to investigate the allegations of the remaining three women to determine whether to file additional charges.
Jury selection for the trial in New York, where he faces five charges, is expected to begin on Tuesday.
