Disgraced former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to a new sexual assault charge in a Manhattan court. The 72-year-old, who recently underwent emergency heart surgery, made a frail appearance in a wheelchair to respond to the latest accusation.
Weinstein, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, appeared unshaven and visibly pale during the brief hearing before Judge Curtis Farber. The charge, which accuses Weinstein of committing a criminal sexual act, relates to an alleged assault on a woman at a hotel in lower Manhattan between April 29 and May 6, 2006, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Following the arraignment, Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, spoke to reporters, noting that the alleged incident occurred nearly two decades ago.
Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence following his conviction for rape in California. He was also convicted in New York in 2020 for the rape and sexual assault of an actress and for forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant, which resulted in a 23-year prison sentence.
However, his 2020 conviction was overturned by the New York Court of Appeals in April, and Weinstein is awaiting a retrial on those charges. The retrial, initially set for November 12, may be delayed, with prosecutors describing the date as unrealistic. The next court hearing for Weinstein is scheduled for October 2.
Weinstein’s time in prison has been marked by numerous health complications, with his latest emergency heart surgery taking place just over a week ago at Bellevue Hospital, following his transfer from Rikers Island.
Harvey Weinstein was once one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood, co-founding Miramax Films with his brother Bob. He produced numerous critically acclaimed films, including Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love, the latter earning him a Best Picture Oscar.
The wave of allegations against Weinstein helped ignite the #MeToo movement in 2017, bringing attention to sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry. More than 80 women, including high-profile actors such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd, have accused Weinstein of harassment, sexual assault, or rape. Weinstein has consistently denied the allegations, insisting that all encounters were consensual.