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More than 70 women, mostly young actresses and
other women employed in the movie business, have accused
Weinstein of sexual misconduct, including rape, in a series of
incidents dating back decades.
The accusations against Weinstein sparked the #MeToo movement
that has seen hundreds of women publicly accuse powerful men in
business, politics and entertainment of sexual harassment and
abuse, lifting a shroud that had long shielded such behavior.
Dressed in a dark suit and tie on Monday, the 66-year-old
co-founder of the Miramax film studio was brought handcuffed
into a Manhattan courtroom to face the latest charges.
New York state Supreme Court Justice James Burke rejected
prosecutors' request to order house arrest for Weinstein,
allowing him to remain free on the $1 million bail that has been
in effect since he pleaded not guilty in June to charges he
assaulted two other women, one in 2004 and one in 2013.
Weinstein was subdued throughout the hearing, pleading "not
guilty" and responding "yes, sir" when the judge told him to
stay away from his accusers. He walked to the courthouse with a
copy of "A Talent for Trouble," the 1997 biography of "Ben-Hur"
film director William Wyler, according to CNN.
"Mr. Weinstein is not a predator, he is not a rapist and I
believe when this case is over we will ultimately see him to be
exonerated," defense attorney Benjamin Brafman told journalists
after Monday's hearing.
Brafman said that prosecutors may file additional charges
against Weinstein.
Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi said the number of Weinstein accusers
"shows the breadth of the criminality here."
Prosecutors contend Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on the
woman in 2006. The latest charges carry a maximum life sentence.
Earlier charges included two counts of rape and one count of
criminal sexual act. Weinstein was charged after a months-long
investigation by the New York Police Department.
After Weinstein was accused, his eponymous company Weinstein Co
fired him and filed for bankruptcy, and he was expelled from the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Through his company and Miramax, Weinstein won plaudits and
awards for movies including "Shakespeare in Love," "Pulp
Fiction," "Sex, Lies and Videotape," "The Crying Game" and "The
King's Speech."
(Reporting By Tea Kvetenadze; Editing by Scott Malone, Jeffrey
Benkoe and Jonathan Oatis)
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