Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein turned himself in Friday morning to the New York Police Department, after being charged with first degree criminal sexual misconduct act and third-degree rape.
These charges come from interactions with two different women in 2004 and 2013 and resulted from a joint investigation between the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and the NYPD. Despite these serious charges, Weinstein has pled not guilty and expects to be fully exonerated, according to his lawyer Benjamin Brafman.
“Mr. Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behavior with anyone,” Brafman said. “Nothing about today’s proceedings changes Mr. Weinstein’s position.”
Weinstein was allowed to leave the police department but he left in handcuffs like a common criminal. Though Brafman did make a deal with the DA’s office for Weinstein’s bond to be $10 million. The former Hollywood producer is also required to wear a GPS, for the court is only allowing him to travel within the states of New York and Connecticut. Weinstein also surrendered his passport.
The first-degree charge comes from a case involving a former aspiring actress (now a marketing consultant) Lucia Evans who claimed Weinstein forced her to do non-consensual oral sex on him in an office in 2004.
The accuser of the third-degree rape charge has not been publicly revealed. Though at least four women are expected to testify according to a CNN source.
Most likely this is the beginning of charges against Weinstein. 7 months ago, women started coming forward with stories accusing him of sexual misconduct. Law enforcement in Los Angeles and London are also investigating Weinstein for alleged sexual misconduct crimes, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Shocked by these stories, his wife Georgina Chapman left him. Weinstein was also fired from his own film production company which even shares his own name. The Weinstein Company filed for bankruptcy this year.
Weinstein’s surrender whether he is innocent or not is motivational for people who have experienced sexual harassment and abuse.
Tarana Burke who founded the Me Too movement, said the surrender marks a transition into the courtroom.
“That is super cathartic for a bunch of the survivors, or even survivors who are not necessarily victimized by him,” Burke said to Variety.
