More than seven months after women began coming forward with stories alleging sexual misconduct by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, the former movie mogul has been arrested and charged with allegedly raping a woman and forcing another to perform oral sex.
The charges of first and third-degree rape and committing a sexual act in the first degree stem from incidents with two women in 2013 and 2004.
The 66-year-old has since been released on US$10 million bond, after paying US$1 million and ordered to wear an ankle monitor. He is also ordered to only travel within New York state or Connecticut.
Weinstein, the former head of Miramax and The Weinstein Company, continues to deny all allegations of non-consensual sex.
“Mr. Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behavior with anyone. Nothing about today’s proceedings changes Mr. Weinstein’s position. He has entered a plea of not guilty and fully expects to be exonerated,” attorney Benjamin Brafman said in a statement after the arraignment.
When asked how the movie mogul was feeling, Mr Brafman replied: “As well as can be expected when you vehemently deny a crime you’re accused of committing.”
Harvey Weinstein has been arrested and charged with allegedly raping a woman and forcing another to perform oral sex.
He continues to deny all allegations of non-consensual sex.
Rose Mcgowan, who was one of the first women to accuse the disgraced film producer of sexual harassment, has since expressed her thoughts on his arrest.
“I feel shocked,” she said during an appearance on Good Morning America. “I would say it’s just so big. I have to admit, I didn’t think I would see the day that he would have handcuffs on him. I have a visceral need for him to have handcuffs on.”
She also appeared Today and told anchor Megyn Kelly: “It’s tragic that it takes over 100 women and that probably means 1,000, let’s be real. I mean, this man had hunting grounds all over the world. He had accomplices and a complicity machine. He was the cult leader of Hollywood, their king. He tied with God for thanks at the Oscars. And to see that constantly, and to live in that town — and to see people lay wreaths at his feet even though they knew, today is a good day.”
She later added: “The man who pinned me down had handcuffs on him today.”
Rose Mcgowan was one of the first women to publicly accuse Weinstein of assault.
More than 75 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault with some allegations dating back decades.
The shocking revelations against the Hollywood heavyweight energized the #MeToo movement and sparked the Time’s Up campaign, which saw hundreds of women publicly accuse powerful men in entertainment, business and government the world over of misconduct.
