Harvey Weinstein to Be Arrested in Connection With Sexual Assault
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced producer who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by dozens of women, is set to be arrested in connection with some of those allegations, according to a report from the New York Times.
The Times reported on Thursday afternoon that Weinstein will surrender to authorities in New York City on Friday morning, following an investigation into allegations of sexual assault and abuse by the former producer. Two law enforcement officials who spoke with the Times confirmed Weinstein's impending arrest.
According to the Times, the former Hollywood mogul will face charges in connection with at least one known accuser, Lucia Evans, who alleges that "Mr. Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him during a business meeting in 2004." It's currently unclear if additional charges will be filed, though the Times reports that prosecutors had also been investigating an allegation by actress Paz de la Huerta that Weinstein raped her in her New York home in 2010.
Exactly what Weinstein is expected to be charged with remained unclear Thursday. The Times reports that the producer's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, declined to comment.
Weinstein's fall from grace has been swift. Once one of the most powerful people in the film industry, the producer was first accused back in October of sexual harassment by multiple women, many of them famous actresses, including Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie. Those allegations eventually expanded into assault and abuse charges, most publicly by Rose McGowan, who accused Weinstein of rape, as well as a years-long intimidation campaign.
Shortly after the allegations surfaced, the producer was forced out of his eponymous company, The Weinstein Company, which has since filed for bankruptcy and is looking for new ownership. He is currently embroiled in divorce proceedings with his wife, fashion designer Georgina Chapman.
Weinstein has had several civil suits filed against him, including one by Judd, and multiple criminal investigations were also opened in several international cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and London. The New York Police Department had previously asked members of the public to come forward with any information about criminal activity by Weinstein.
The former producer may not just face charges stemming from his alleged sexual crimes: The Times reports that he's also being investigating for financial impropriety and violating stalking laws, in connection with claims that he harassed and attempted to pay off multiple women in exchange for their silence.
This is a breaking news report. We will be updating this story with additional details as they become available.
[via: The New York Times]