Disgraced movie industry titan Harvey Weinstein surrendered to authorities at New York’s First Precinct in Tribeca on Friday after a months-long investigation connected to reports that he sexually assaulted multiple women. Weinstein, whom more than 80 women have said sexually harassed or assaulted them, has been charged with first-degree and third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act in a second case. At least one charge is related to a 2004 incident involving Lucia Evans, who said that Weinstein forced her to make oral contact with his genitals. Given the nature of the charges, the statute of limitations does not apply. Weinstein was arraigned in court, pleading not guilty. His bond was set at $10 million or $1 million in cash. His next court appearance is set for July 30.
In a statement, Weinstein’s lawyer said, “Mr. Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behavior with anyone. Nothing about today’s proceedings changes Mr. Weinstein’s position. He has entered a plea of not guilty and fully expects to be exonerated.”
Multiple news organizations reported in March that the New York Police Department was building a case against Weinstein, with one officer telling The Daily Beast it was “ready to go with an arrest.” Additionally, the Los Angeles Police Department is in the midst of its own investigation into Weinstein relating to the first reports of the producer’s misconduct in October 2017. Weinstein has denied accounts of rape and sexual assault.
Many female celebrities—including Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Asia Argento, and Lena Headey—have said that Weinstein engaged in sexual misconduct. In the wake of the Weinstein reports, a chorus of actors have voiced their frustration with and shared their experiences of sexual harassment and assault in the industry. The #MeToo movement has since become a rallying cry against sexual misconduct in the workplace spanning many industries.
Other prominent Hollywood figures that have been at the center of reports of sexual misconduct following the initial statements about Weinstein include Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, the director Brett Ratner, and most recently, Morgan Freeman. Weinstein’s former production firm, the Weinstein Company, filed for bankruptcy in March. The company’s assets were purchased by Texas-based private equity firm Lantern Capital this month.
This piece was updated at 11:03 a.m. ET on May 25 with additional information after publication.
