Harvey Weinstein charged with more sex crimes, New York prosecutors say

NEW YORK – A grand jury has brought additional sex crimes charges against Harvey Weinstein, prosecutors said in a New York court on Thursday.

Prosecutors said the indictment would remain sealed until the disgraced Hollywood movie mogul is ready to appear in court. Defense attorney Arthur Aidala said all he knew about the new charges was that they could include up to three more allegations dating to 2005.

Weinstein did not appear in court on Thursday because the 72-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in prison on Monday taken from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital for emergency surgery to remove fluid from his heart and lungs. Aidala told the judge that Weinstein “almost died” before the procedure.

Weinstein awaits retrial charged with rape and sexual assault in New York City after the state's highest appeals court overturned his 2020 conviction. The judge set a trial date of November 12, but the defense opposed that date.

“For ethical reasons, we cannot be ready by November 12,” Aidala said. “We demand a trial in the original case, and if [there are] others, then that's a new case, treat them separately. He's not doing well. I know lawyers are known for exaggerating – we can't exaggerate a heart condition.”

The judge ruled that Weinstein will remain in Bellevue for treatment. A hearing on Weinstein's medical condition is scheduled for September 18.

Weinstein's verdict overturned

Weinstein's 2020 Conviction was overturned this spring after the state's highest court ruled that the judge in the original trial had improperly allowed testimony on other charges that were not part of the case.

Weinstein was found guilty of sexually assaulting an assistant in 2006 and raping an aspiring actor in 2013. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

After the New York trial is complete, Weinstein is expected to return to California to serve his upcoming 16-year prison sentence for a separate conviction for rape.

Alice Gainer contributed to this report.