Weinstein Faces Life Term After New Sex Crime Charges

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars if some new allegations are proved right. He has pleaded not guilty, and "unequivocally denied" allegations against him by two women when he was arrested a few weeks ago in New York.

He turned himself in to the NYPD on May 25, but now a Manhattan grand jury indicated that three new charges against the film mogul with additional sex crimes, could land him in prison for life, ABC News reported.

Weinstein, 66, was previously facing charges of raping a woman and forcing a second woman to perform oral sex. The new allegation claims that Weinstein assaulted a third victim in 2006

“A Manhattan grand jury has now indicted Harvey Weinstein on some of the most serious sexual offenses that exist under New York’s Penal Law,” Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance said. “This indictment is the result of the extraordinary courage exhibited by the survivors who have come forward.”

NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea, without giving out the woman’s identity, said in a statement, “The case is not over and the investigation continues. This was joint work between the Manhattan DA’s office and our special victims division and just to the overall nature of the case we ask other victims to come forward and we thank the victims who have come forward for their courage.”

A dozen women, including movie stars Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused him of sexual harassment and assault. The film producer has denied the claims.

READ: Adam Sandler Draws Flak For Touching Actress’s Knee On TV Show

Meanwhile, Weinstein's attorney Benjamin Brafman said  "Mr. Weinstein maintains that all of these allegations are false and he expects to be fully vindicated."

"Furthermore, to charge Mr. Weinstein as a predator when the interactions were each consensual is simply not justified."

If convicted of sexual misconduct, the minimum sentence would be 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Feature Image Credit: CBC

Also Read: Law alone can’t deter sexual harassment at workplace

Read More Stories By Ria Das