Former Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 convictions in New York for rape and sexual assault have been overturned by a court decision on Thursday, but the disgraced movie mogul will remain behind bars due to a separate conviction in California.
The 72-year-old was found guilty in February 2020 of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree against two women. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
“We are incredibly disappointed in this decision, which has devastated the brave survivors in this case,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a statement. “Our exploration of next steps in this case is ongoing.”
Weinstein’s defense attorney Arthur Aidala claimed his client “did not receive a fair trial” due to issues with the judge, arguing “his character was put on trial instead of the evidence.”
Despite the New York convictions being tossed out, Weinstein is still serving a 16-year sentence in California after being convicted there in 2022 of forcible rape, forced oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object from a 2013 assault.
Scores of women came forward with allegations against Weinstein at the height of the #MeToo movement in 2017, accusing him of harassment, sexual assault and rape dating back decades.
“The trauma of sexual assault lasts a lifetime,” said actress Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein’s most vocal accusers. “While the legal system may falter, we survivors remain steadfast in our truth.”
The New York District Attorney has not yet indicated if they will pursue a retrial on the overturned charges against Weinstein.
