Harvey Weinstein used Hollywood clout to abuse women – prosecutor

Harvey Weinstein used his influence in the film industry to isolate and sexually abuse women, a prosecutor told a Manhattan jury during closing arguments in his retrial on Tuesday.

Weinstein, 73, faces charges of rape and sexual assault involving three women, with jury deliberations set to begin soon.

Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg described Weinstein as a “serial predator” who promised Hollywood opportunities, only to lure women into private settings where he allegedly assaulted them. “He used the same power that made award-winning movies to trap and abuse women,” she said.

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations of non-consensual sex. His retrial follows the overturning of his 2020 conviction by a New York appeals court, which cited judicial errors and ordered a new trial.

The current charges include the rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013, and sexual assaults on two other women in 2006 and 2002. Blumberg argued that the women’s stories are consistent and credible, despite defence attempts to question their motives.

Defence attorney Arthur Aidala claimed the accusers were lying about non-consensual encounters that were, in reality, consensual. He said their regret and disappointment in not achieving fame led them to misrepresent what happened. Aidala presented emails between Weinstein and his accusers as evidence of ongoing, consensual communication.

Weinstein, appearing in court in a wheelchair and dark suit, has been dealing with several health issues. He is currently held at Rikers Island after his earlier conviction was overturned. That 2020 conviction marked a turning point for the #MeToo movement, which saw more than 100 women accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

In the retrial, prosecutors added a new charge involving Polish model Kaja Sokola, who alleges Weinstein assaulted her in 2002. If convicted on all counts, Weinstein could face up to 29 years in prison, in addition to his existing 16-year sentence from a 2022 rape conviction in California.

Weinstein’s former studio, Miramax, was behind numerous major films, including Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2018, following the wave of public allegations against him.