US film producer Harvey Weinstein has turned himself in to the police in New York
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Ex-Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to the New York authorities on Friday about six months after allegations of sexual assault became known. The producer was charged and then released on bail.
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Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein upon his arrival at the New York City Police Department. (Image: Justin Lane/EPA (New York, May 25, 2018))
(sda) Weinstein, 66, was charged with sexual assault in a New York court on Friday. Weinstein was charged with rape and a criminal sexual act, prosecutors said on Friday.
US media reported that it was forced oral sex. According to the public prosecutor, it is about incidents from 2013 and 2004.
Bail was set at $1 million. Weinstein was given a surveillance device, prosecutors said. He has handed in his passport and must ask permission if he wants to leave the US states of New York and Connecticut. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 30.
“Today’s indictment marks significant progress in this ongoing investigation,” said Attorney Cyrus Vance. “Thank you to the brave victims who came forward and to my agency’s investigators who worked tirelessly on this investigation.” Vance asked any other Weinstein victims to come forward.
The former Hollywood mogul, accompanied by lawyers, went to a New York police building in southern Manhattan early in the morning to face the authorities. Dozens of media people and onlookers lined up in front of the building.
He was arrested at the police station and the charges were read out. He then left the building in handcuffs and was taken to the court where, among other things, the amount of the bail was announced. Weinstein was then conditionally released.
Over 100 women affected
The first allegations against Weinstein became known in October. More than 100 women, including numerous stars such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have now accused him of sexually molesting or even raping them. The earliest case is said to have been around 40 years ago.
Weinstein is also the subject of sexual assault investigations in Los Angeles and London. The 66-year-old denies the allegations: According to him, the sex was always consensual.
Even if Weinstein is brought to justice, there is still a long way to go before a sexual assault conviction, defense attorney and ex-prosecutor Julie Rendelman told AFP. Weinstein’s attorney, Ben Brafman, is expected to “fight very hard” for his client.
Brafman previously saved former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn from a conviction for sexually assaulting a maid in 2011. The criminal defense attorney had dismembered the indictment brought by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.
He is currently being criticized for dropping a case against Weinstein for sexual assault three years ago. The allegations against Weinstein triggered the so-called #MeToo debate, in which numerous alleged victims of sexual violence went public worldwide.
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