Harvey Weinstein is being investigated for “additional sexual assault” allegations months after his conviction was overturned in New York, a Manhattan court announced.
Assistant District Attorney Nicole Bloomberg said at a hearing Tuesday that the alleged assault is within the statute of limitations and can be prosecuted as a crime.
The disgraced 72-year-old movie mogul was convicted of sexual assault and rape in 2020, but is already facing a retrial after his conviction was overturned in April on grounds of unfairness.
“As I said in 2020, there were women who were not ready to proceed with the legal process. Some of those women are now ready to proceed,” Ms. Bloomberg said during Tuesday’s hearing.
Weinstein's Attorney Arthur Aidala told the hearing that the new investigation was a delaying tactic, adding, “Once again, we have a hotline: 1-800 Harvey Rescue.”
Attorney Aidala added that his client had been suffering from a number of health problems while in solitary confinement at New York City's Rikers Island jail.
Weinstein's 2020 conviction was a defining moment in the #MeToo movement, in which women have accused hundreds of men in the media of sexual misconduct.
The founder of Miramax film studios has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley and raping actress Jessica Mann.
But in April, a New York appeals court ruled that evidence presented by three unrelated witnesses regarding Weinstein's “past misconduct” violated his right to a fair trial.
Those involved in the #MeToo movement have described the decision as “deeply unjust,” while victims’ lawyers have called the retrial decision a “step backwards” and “tragic.”
The retrial is scheduled to begin after the Labor Day holiday on September 2, but no specific date has been set. Ms. Bloomberg said Tuesday that prosecutors could realistically go to trial in November.
Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison after a separate rape trial in California. That conviction was not affected by a New York appeals court decision, and he did not serve his California sentence.
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. He denies all allegations against him.
