Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was charged with two additional felony sex charges, has now been accused of sexual assault by a third woman. Out of three, one of the charges involves predatory sexual assault and carries the potential of life in prison.
On Monday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office announced the new charges that Weinstein is accused of involved forcibly performing oral sex on the woman on July 10, 2006.
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District Attorney Cy Vance said in a statement, “A Manhattan Grand Jury has now indicted Harvey Weinstein on some of the most serious sexual offenses that exist under New York’s Penal Law. ”
“This indictment is the result of the extraordinary courage exhibited by the survivors who have come forward. Our investigation continues. If you are a survivor of the predatory abuse with which Weinstein is charged, there is still time to pursue justice,” Vance added.
According to a report in Variety, he was indicted on one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree and two counts of predatory sexual assault. The latter charges are used to prosecute perpetrators of multiple felony sexual assaults. They are Class A-II felonies, the most serious charges that Weinstein faces, and they carry a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison.
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Weinstein is free on $1 million bail following his arrest on May 25 on the initial charges. He has pleaded not guilty. No trial date has been set yet.
Harvey Weinstein’s career and reputation has been in free-fall since an article from a publication detailing settlements that were paid to women including Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan. The expose has prompted dozens of women to come forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault, leading to multiple criminal investigations.