A Taciturn Harvey Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty to Rape Charges
Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood mogul whose fall from grace set off a sexual misconduct reckoning ac..
Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood mogul whose fall from grace set off a sexual misconduct reckoning across the country last fall, pleaded not guilty to two rape charges and one charge of a criminal sexual act before Justice James M. Burke in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Weinstein, represented by attorney Benjamin Brafman, was indicted on the charges in May by New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., based on the allegations of two women. One of the women is Lucia Evans, a former actress who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct in an interview with The New Yorker. Weinstein, via Brafman, has denied the allegations.
Once he arrived in court, Brafman immediately addressed more recent allegations against Weinstein brought forth by Melissa Thompson, the latest woman to accuse Weinstein of raping her; the attack, she alleged, occurred in 2011. Thompson recently met with the D.A.s office, alleging that she first came to Brafmans firm with allegations against Weinstein before learning that the shellacked producer was actually one of the firms clients. Brafman denied the allegations on Weinsteins behalf in court, also accusing law-enforcement officials of telling the press about Thompsons meeting with the D.A.s office—and saying that officials have been “prolific in leaking information” since the case began.
The D.A.s office was represented by leading prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon. Prominent womens-rights attorney Gloria Allred—whose daughter, Lisa Bloom, was once a representative of Weinsteins—sat behind Illuzzi-Orbon during the proceeding, observing the case.
Weinstein was a quiet presence during the half-hour hearing, limping to his court seat and responding with the occasional, “Yes, your honor” when addressed by the judge. Since October, he has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, including prominent actresses like Rose McGowan and Gwyneth Paltrow. He has continually denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 20.
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
