Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to a new charge of committing a criminal sexual act in a New York court. The 72-year-old, already serving time for previous convictions, faces the additional charge related to the alleged sexual assault of a woman in a Manhattan hotel in 2006, according to District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg.
Weinstein appeared in court in a wheelchair, dressed in a dark suit with a blue tie, and with a bandage on his right hand. When asked for his plea, Weinstein emphatically responded, “Not guilty.”
“Thanks to this survivor who bravely came forward, Harvey Weinstein now stands indicted for an additional alleged violent sexual assault,” said Bragg in a statement.
This new charge comes as Weinstein awaits retrial after New York’s top appeals court overturned his 2020 rape conviction and 23-year sentence in April. The conviction was thrown out after the court ruled that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial, as testimony from women he was not charged with assaulting was allowed. Weinstein has consistently denied engaging in non-consensual sexual encounters.
Weinstein remains in custody, currently serving a 16-year sentence for the 2013 rape of an actress in Los Angeles. Due to various health issues, including Covid-19 and double pneumonia, he was recently moved to a New York prison hospital. Last week, his legal team revealed he underwent emergency heart surgery.
Prosecutors have filed a motion to consolidate this new charge with the pending retrial for the overturned 2020 rape conviction. A judge is expected to rule on the matter on October 2.
Melissa Enoch
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