New Charges Filed Against Disgraced Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein 

New York— Harvey Weinstein, once one of Hollywood’s most influential figures, faces additional charges related to sexual crimes as he prepares for a retrial in his high-profile #MeToo case. Manhattan prosecutors revealed the new indictment during a court hearing on Thursday.

The indictment details will remain sealed until Weinstein’s arraignment, which could occur as early as September 18. Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg stated that Weinstein is being charged with “additional crimes,” and multiple accusers are prepared to testify against him.

Weinstein, 72, did not attend the hearing as he is currently recovering from emergency heart surgery performed earlier this week. He remains hospitalized in Manhattan, where fluid was removed from his heart and lungs.

In a recent development, prosecutors disclosed that they had presented evidence to a grand jury related to up to three new allegations against Weinstein. These accusations, dating back to the mid-2000s, involve sexual assaults in various New York locations, including the Tribeca Grand Hotel (now known as the Roxy Hotel) and a residential building in Lower Manhattan. Another alleged incident took place at a Tribeca hotel in 2016. However, it remains unclear if all of these allegations are included in the new charges, given the sealed nature of the indictment.

Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, expressed uncertainty following the hearing, saying, “We don’t know what the exact accusations are, the exact locations are, or the timing is.”

This latest indictment follows the overturning of Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault involving two women. New York’s highest court ordered a new trial tentatively set for November 12. Prosecutors plan to combine the new charges with the original ones, though Weinstein’s defense team has opposed this strategy. Aidala noted that the defense would need additional preparation time, potentially pushing the trial date back.

Meanwhile, British authorities recently decided not to pursue indecent assault charges against Weinstein. However, he remains a central figure in the #MeToo movement, which began in 2017 after numerous women presented allegations against him. Weinstein, who co-founded Miramax and The Weinstein Company, has consistently denied any non-consensual sexual activity.

In Thursday’s court hearing, Judge Curtis Farber granted a request to keep Weinstein at Bellevue Hospital indefinitely, citing his severe health conditions. Weinstein’s legal team emphasized the dangers posed by frequent transfers between the hospital and Rikers Island’s infirmary, where he has been held since the overturning of his conviction.

The former film producer, known for iconic films like Pulp Fiction and The Crying Game, has undergone multiple surgeries related to his health, with his condition requiring constant monitoring to prevent life-threatening complications.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has indicated that the new charges were in the works for several months. During a hearing in July, prosecutors shared that they were actively pursuing allegations of rape that fall within the statute of limitations in Manhattan, adding that potential accusers, previously unwilling to testify, are now prepared to come forward.

Weinstein’s retrial may feature testimony from some of the women involved in the original case, including Jessica Mann, one of the key accusers. It is uncertain if Mimi Haley, another accuser, will testify again, as her lawyer, Gloria Allred, has declined to comment on the matter.

Although Weinstein’s 23-year sentence in New York was vacated, he continues to serve a 16-year sentence in California after being convicted of rape in Los Angeles in 2022. His legal team has appealed that conviction, arguing that he did not receive a fair trial.

Weinstein remains at Rikers Island while awaiting his retrial in New York, where new developments in the case are expected to unfold in the coming weeks.

Contributed by Midtown Times Staff Writers