Harvey Weinstein’s attorneys have filed a document opposing the consolidation of two sexual crimes cases against the disgraced film mogul by Manhattan prosecutors. The prosecutors are seeking to combine new charges with ones previously brought against Weinstein, but his lawyers argue that this move is unfair and improper.
Weinstein was convicted in early 2020 of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sex act, but his 23-year prison sentence was overturned in April due to allegations not related to the charges being allowed in court. Last month, Weinstein was indicted on a new charge of sexual act in the first degree, stemming from an alleged incident in 2006. Prosecutors plan to link the two cases together for his retrial.
Weinstein has pleaded not guilty in both cases, and his lawyers claim the new accuser has changed her stories about her interactions with him over the years. They argue that prosecutors knew about her allegations as far back as 2019 but waited to bring charges until now, in retaliation for Weinstein successfully appealing his previous conviction.
The new trial was originally scheduled for September, then delayed to November, and prosecutors now want to move it to January. Weinstein remains in jail at Rikers Island while awaiting trial. The case has sparked global attention and inspired the #MeToo movement, a campaign against abuses of power in the entertainment industry and beyond. Weinstein has consistently denied all allegations of sexual assault and harassment, maintaining that any encounters were consensual.
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