New York City police say gathering evidence for possible Weinstein arrest warrant

[November 04, 2017]  (Reuters) - The New York City Police Department said on Friday that it had a credible narrative from an unidentified woman who has made a rape allegation against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and was gathering evidence for a possible arrest warrant.

Reuters requests for comment from Weinstein's representative and his lawyer were not immediately answered.

New York City Police Department Deputy Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told a news conference that the alleged victim "put forth a credible and detailed narrative."

"We have an actual case here," Boyce said. He said the police department became aware of the accusation on October 25.

Boyce said it was a seven-year-old case and "we have to move forward gathering evidence."

Boyce said that because Weinstein was out of state the police department would need a court-ordered warrant for any arrest.

More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations.

Boyce said police had spoken to the woman and "we found corroboration along the way."

Harvey Weinstein kicks off the Film Finance Circle conference with an informal discussion at the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi, UAE on October 15, 2007. REUTERS/Steve Crisp/File Photo

He said the NYPD was working on the case with the Manhattan district attorney's office.

"Right now he (Weinstein) poses no threat to anybody in New York City. He's out of state. So it's a continuing investigation," Boyce told the news conference.

Earlier on Friday, in response to media reports, Joan Vollero, a spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., told Reuters, “A senior sex crimes prosecutor is assigned to this investigation, and the Office has been working with our partners in the NYPD since the new allegations came to light.”

Police in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have also said they are investigating sexual assault allegations against Weinstein but no charges have been brought against him.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant)

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