RE: No Weinstein thread yet? / HOLLYWOOD & ORGANIZATIONAL SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

[HairOfTheDog]

Harvey Weinstein was arraigned today on charges of first- and third-degree rape and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree, seven months after women began to come forward with stories alleging sexual misconduct by the famed Hollywood producer.

The criminal charges filed Friday stem from incidents with two separate women in 2013 and 2004, the Manhattan district attorney said in a statement, and were the result of a joint investigation between police and the Manhattan DA's office.

"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," defense attorney Benjamin Brafman said in a statement after the arraignment.

Brafman plans to defend his client by claiming bad behavior and the casting couch were not invented by Weinstein and that's all his client is guilty of.

As part of the agreement between Brafman and the DA's office, Weinstein's bond was set at $10 million. He'll be required to wear a GPS monitoring system and is only allowed to travel within New York state or Connecticut. He also surrendered his passport.

More charges are expected as a grand jury continues to hear testimony in the state's case with at least four women expected to testify, the source said.

Story: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/25/entertain...index.html