More than 80 women have come forward to report sexual misconduct by producer Harvey Weinstein since October of last year. He has been fired from his company, kicked out of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and pushed out of the Directors Guild of America. But Weinstein had never faced any criminal charges in connection with the many allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him. Until now.
Weinstein surrendered to authorities in New York the morning of Friday, May 25, and was arraigned shortly thereafter. Bond was set at $10 million or $1 million cash, which he paid with cashier’s check. Weinstein also was required to relinquish his passport and wear a GPS monitoring system. He is only permitted to travel between New York and Connecticut.
In a press conference outside the courtroom, Weinstein’s lawyer, Ben Branfman, reiterated Weinstein’s contention that he did not engage in nonconsensual sexual activities and that Weinstein will enter a plea of not guilty.