Film producer Harvey Weinstein was indicted on three more sexual assault charges on Monday, CNN reported. Weinstein is accused of sexually assaulting more than 70 women.
A grand jury charged Weinstein, 66, with one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree for a forcible sexual act against a third woman in 2006, and two counts of felony predatory sexual assault, said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Jr in a statement. Predatory sexual assault charges carry a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison, according to Variety.
The new charges are in addition to previous indictments on charges of first and third degree rape, and a criminal sexual act in the first degree, for forcible sexual acts against two women in 2013 and 2004. He faces between five and 25 years in prison if proved guilty of the most serious crimes. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On February 12, the state of New York sued the producer and his former company for years of sexual harassment and misconduct with employees. After a four-month investigation into the allegations, former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said employees of The Weinstein Company had faced “pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination”.
The allegations of sexual assault were first reported by The New York Times and The New Yorker in 2017, which led to the #MeToo and Times Up movements. The movements seek to expose sexual harassment and assault, especially at workplace.
Since the allegations against Weinstein became public, several people from within the American film industry and outside have accused actors and directors such as Dustin Hoffman, Brett Ratner, Geoffrey Rush, Ryan Seacrest, Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman of harassment.
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