WARNING: This article contains information about sexual assault which may be triggering to survivors.
Update: June 16, 2021
Harvey Weinstein will be transferred to Los Angeles, after multiple delays of his extradition.
The disgraced producer is currently incarcerated at Wende Correctional Facility in Upstate New York, where his lawyers argued he was taken because of the facility’s ability to treat his health issues.
“We are disappointed in this decision today,” a rep for Weinstein said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “We are asking the court to hold off the extradition of Mr Weinstein to Los Angeles until he can receive his needed medical care here in New York.”
Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence for a conviction of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree and third-degree rape, which he’s appealing.
He faces 11 counts of sexual assault in California after being indicted by an L.A. grand jury.
Update: March 12, 2020
On March 11, 2020, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced in New York to 23 years in prison for sex crimes.
The movie producer is 67-years-old, meaning he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Weinstein will serve 20 years for the felony attack on Miriam Haley, who testified Mr. Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 2006. He will also serve three years for the rape of Jessica Mann, an aspiring actress who testified he forced himself on her at a hotel in 2013.
After sentencing, he was handcuffed to his wheelchair and taken into custody. He will be moved to an upstate prison within 10 days. It is unconfirmed whether he will be housed in his own cell, in a dormitory, or in solitary confinement.
Weinstein also faces sexual assault charges in California. Los Angeles County has announced it is in the process of extraditing Weinstein to face his charges there.
Actor Mira Sorvino, a strong advocate for the #TimesUp campaign and most famous for her role as Romy in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion took to Twitter in response to the outcome.
“23 years,” she said. “Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his crimes of rape and sexual assault. I literally cried tears of amazement, gratitude that the justice system has worked on behalf of all of his victims today.”
23 years. Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his crimes of rape and sexual assault. I literally cried tears of amazement, gratitude that the justice system has worked on behalf of all of his victims today.
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) March 11, 2020
Fellow advocate, Rosanna Arquette – a member of the official Time’s Up movement, the “Silence Breakers” added to the sentiment.
“Gratitude to all the silence breakers especially Rose and all survivors of Weinstein to the brave women who testified and to the incredible investigative reporting of Ronan farrow who uncovered the sabotage and spying and to David Remnick thank you Rich McKuen and NY Times. [sic]”
https://twitter.com/RoArquette/status/1237762771527159809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1237762771527159809&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2020%2Fbiz%2Fnews%2Fharvey-weinstein-sentencing-hollywood-reacts-mira-sorvino-1203530428%2F
While, actor Rose McGowan, who has been at the forefront of rallying for change put it simply.
“Let us be free.”
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1237829581324849153
More to come.
—
February 25, 2020
Harvey Weinstein has been taken into custody after being handed a guilty verdict in a landmark #MeToo trial.
Weinstein was found guilty of “rape and criminal sexual acts”, however, he was acquitted of three other counts, including the most serious — predatory sexual assault.
As the verdict was read, the 67-year-old repeated “But, I’m innocent,” to his lawyers before being handcuffed and led out of court, where he will be held in jail to await sentencing.
Weinstein faces a possible sentence of between five and 25 years.
After the verdict was passed down, Ronan Farrow, who helped uncover allegations of sexual abuse against the film mogul, took to Twitter to talk about the result.
“Today’s outcome in Harvey Weinstein’s New York trial is the result of the decisions of multiple women to come forward to journalists and to prosecutors at great personal cost and risk,” he said. “Please keep those women in your thoughts today.”
Today’s outcome in Harvey Weinstein’s New York trial is the result of the decisions of multiple women to come forward to journalists and to prosecutors at great personal cost and risk. Please keep those women in your thoughts today.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 24, 2020
Later, he shared another Tweet saying that Los Angeles prosecutors would be moving forward with a separate case against Weinstein, “which could include a more expansive group of witnesses and lead to greater sentencing exposure”.
New: Los Angeles prosecutors are moving forward with their separate case against Weinstein—which could include a more expansive group of witnesses and lead to greater sentencing exposure. Paul Thompson, the LA Deputy District Attorney, tells me: “We are definitely proceeding.”
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 24, 2020
The conviction was a bittersweet moment for his accusers and those celebrities involved in the #MeToo movement, who also shared their reactions on social media.
In a joint statement on the official Time’s Up Twitter account, the “Silence Breakers”, a group of women who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct including actors Ashley Judd and Rosanna Arquette, said that it was “disappointing that today’s outcome does not deliver the true, full justice that so many deserve”, however, were satisfied that he will now “forever be known as a convicted serial predator.”
“This conviction would not be possible without the testimony of the courageous women and the many women who have spoken out. Despite intimidation from Weinstein’s legal team, they courageously shared their stories with the jury, the courtroom and the world,” the statement read.
“This has been a flawed process from the beginning but has further exposed the difficulties women face in coming forward, to tell the truth about powerful abusers. Their bravery will forever be remembered in history.”
Read the full statement in the tweet below:
Today is a victory for the #SilenceBreakers who refused to be silent about Weinstein, igniting a global reckoning.
It’s a victory for survivors everywhere – and for all those who believe in justice.
Read our full statement from @TinaTchen: https://t.co/EYePvrWJlI
— TIME'S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) February 24, 2020
Judd also took to her personal Twitter to say: “For the women who testified in this case, and walked through traumatic hell, you did a public service to girls and women everywhere, thank you.#ConvictWeinstein #Guilty”
For the women who testified in this case, and walked through traumatic hell, you did a public service to girls and women everywhere, thank you.#ConvictWeinstein #Guilty
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) February 24, 2020
Rose McGowan, who has long been outspoken about Weinstein took to Twitter with a short but powerful tweet.
“Today is a powerful day & a huge step forward in our collective healing,” she wrote.
Today is a powerful day & a huge step forward in our collective healing
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) February 24, 2020
While actor Mira Sorvino, most famous for her role as Romy in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, said: The beginning of #justice. More to come, my sisters. #weinsteinguilty.
The beginning of #justice. More to come, my sisters. #weinsteinguilty
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) February 24, 2020
And Animal Kingdom actress, Ellen Barkin, took to her Twitter to name the women “who put him away”.
“Mimi Haleyi, Jessica Mann, Annabella Sciorra, Dawn Dunning, Lauren Young, Tarale Wulff,” she wrote.
Right now Harvey Weinstein is on his way to prison. These are the women who put him away…
Mimi Haleyi
Jessica Mann
Annabella Sciorra
Dawn Dunning
Lauren Young
Tarale Wulff
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) February 24, 2020
While Weinstein has been convicted, as Douglas Wigdor, attorney to Tarale Wulff said: “We can’t undo the harm that he’s caused to so many victims. Today will be some load of relief for all of the assault survivors.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual or physical violence, please call 1800-RESPECT, a national telephone support line or find more support services HERE.