Harvey Weinstein turns himself in to New York authorities on sex assault charges
By
Rocco Parascandola,
Adam Shrier and
Graham Rayman
| NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |
May 25, 2018 | 9:08 AM
The disgraced mogul turned himself in early Friday to face sex assault charges in connection with attacks on multiple women.
Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to New York authorities Friday to face rape and sex assault charges in connection with attacks on two women.
A horde of at least 100 media — some on ladders — watched the former Weinstein Company co-founder arrive with his lawyer at the NYPD's 1st Precinct in lower Manhattan to face charges that he preyed on Lucia Evans and at least one other accuser.
Evans told investigators that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004 in his office, sources said.
The 66-year-old Weinstein, flanked by his lawyer and two detectives, emerged from a grey Toyota 4Runner around 7:25 a.m. to face a scrum of reporters and photographers.
He appeared calm as he made his way through the throng, which was kept behind NYPD barricades.
Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to authorities Friday morning, as the disgraced movie mogul is set to face sex assault charges. (Anthony DelMundo/New York Daily News)
He was dressed in a navy blue suit with a light blue sweater over a white shirt and held two books — one titled "Something Wonderful" — and a journal.
Neither Weinstein nor his lawyer said anything as they entered the stationhouse.
The NYPD said in a statement issued at about 8:30 a.m. that he was charged with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct involving the two victims.
"The NYPD thanks these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice," the statement said.
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New Yorker writer Ronan Farrow said on CNN that it was an "incredible and unexpected moment. I am immensely grateful for what they have done."
Evans told The New Yorker she was an incoming college senior trying to break into the film business when she met Weinstein at a nightclub.
The movie mogul invited her to the Miramax office. Soon after she arrived for the daytime meeting, Evans said, Weinstein pulled her head down to his crotch.
"I said, over and over, 'I don't want to do this, stop, don't,'" she told the magazine.
A massive media horde awaited outside the NYPD's 1st Precinct for Weinstein, who will face charges he preyed on Lucia Evans and at least one other accuser. (Danny Iudici for New York Daily News)
"I tried to get away, but maybe I didn't try hard enough. I didn't want to kick him or fight him."
Evans said the hulking Weinstein ultimately "overpowered" her.
"I just sort of gave up," she said.
The rape charges are related to allegations involving a second, unidentified woman who has not spoken publicly, sources said.
Lucia Evans was a college senior when Weinstein invited her to the Miramax office, and allegedly "overpowered" her into performing oral sex, she told The New Yorker. (Agaton Strom)
Weinstein flashed a broad smile as he was walked out of the 1st Precinct in handcuffs flanked by two detectives at 8:46 a.m. He answered no questions as he was placed in a black SUV and driven off to court escorted by a caravan of three detective cars.
Minutes later, Weinstein appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court to be arraigned.
He walked past a long line of media with his hands loosely cuffed behind his back.
Because the allegations involve the use of force, the statute of limitations does not apply.
Dozens of women accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault or rape, including actresses (l. to r.) Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Angelina Jolie. (Dimitrios Kambouris, Veli Gurgah, Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
The divorced dad is expected to submit fingerprints before he's arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, where prosecutors will ask for $1 million bail and an electronic ankle monitor, sources said.
Weinstein's surrender marks the latest chapter in the stunning downfall of one of Hollywood's most powerful figures.
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault or rape, including A-list actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Angelina Jolie.
The tide of allegations against the disgraced film producer inspired women across the country to come forward with similar stories of sexual abuse in a wave of stunning revelations known as the #MeToo movement.
Weinstein has denied having nonconsensual sex with any of his accusers.
Weinstein's arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...n-turns-sex-assault-charges-article-1.4009243