US: Weinstein heads to court as new charges unsealed

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Disgraced Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein showed up to New York City court Monday to face charges of gross sexual misconduct as prosecutors in Los Angeles unsealed new sex charges against the former film producer.

In New York, Weinstein is facing charges of first-degree rape, predatory assault, first-degree sexual assault, and third-degree rape. The charges are related to two separate incidents that occurred in 2006 and 2013.

Mimi Haleyi, a production assistant, accuses Weinstein of forcing her to perform a sex act on her in his Manhattan apartment while a second, unidentified woman, accuses Weinstein of rape in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013.

Weinstein, who faces up to three decades behind bars if he is convicted on the charges, came to court with the assistance of a walker after recently having undergone back surgery.

Weinstein has denied wrongdoing, and maintained the encounters were consensual.

In Los Angeles, meanwhile, prosecutors unsealed a four-count indictment against Weinstein that includes one felony county each of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraint. The charges are related to two incidents during a two-day period in 2013.

The first incident, which prosecutors say occurred Feb. 18 of that year, began when Weinstein forcibly entered a woman's hotel room and raped her. The following evening he is alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman at a Beverly Hills hotel.

“We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them,” District Attorney Lacey said in a statement announcing the new charges.

He faces up to 28 years in state prison if convicted in the Los Angeles case.

Rose McGowan, who is one of many women who have come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct, hailed the Los Angeles indictment saying she "cant breathe."

"Happy trial day to you, Mr. Weinstein. Welcome to the rest of your life, hope you’ll have as much fun as we have had being in your jail," she wrote on Twitter.