Harvey Weinstein is set to be charged with two counts of indecent assault in the U.K., Variety reports. The charges, authorized today by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), stem from an assault against a woman that took place in London in 1996.
The statement was followed by a press release from the Metropolitan Police confirming the news: “Detectives have been authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Harvey Weinstein, aged 70, (19.03.1952), with two counts of indecent assault against one woman in August 1996. The CPS’ charging decision follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation.” The CPS also noted that the alleged offenses against the woman, now in her 50s, took place between July 31 and August 31, 1996, per the BBC.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Harvey Weinstein is Already Serving Sentence of 23 Years for Sexual Assault
The former film producer (Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love), who was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2017 following sexual abuse allegations, is no stranger to legal troubles. Over 80 women came forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment from the producer, including Rose McGowan, Mira Sorvino, and Angelina Jolie, subsequently launching the #MeToo social media campaign (Newsweek). After a lengthy trial, Weinstein was convicted in February 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Weinstein is also currently awaiting trial in Los Angeles for 11 additional sex crime charges, alleged by five women and spanning between 2004 and 2013. A hearing will be held later this month to determine Weinstein’s trial date. MovieWeb previously reported that the disgraced producer was extradited to L.A. for his first court appearance in the trial, which could land him over 140 years in prison.
Weinstein is currently serving his sentence at L.A.’s Twin Towers Correctional Facility, and it’s still undetermined whether he will be traveling to the U.K. in order to defend the charges in person.
