On Wednesday, disgraced Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to a new s*x offense accusation in New York.
Weinstein, 72, who underwent emergency heart surgery just over a week ago, arrived in a Manhattan courtroom in a wheelchair to enter his plea to one count of criminal s*xual conduct.
During his brief court appearance before Judge Curtis Farber, the once-powerful Hollywood mogul appeared unshaven, pallid, and fragile. He wore a dark suit, a white shirt, and a blue tie.
According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Weinstein’s new indictment stems from an alleged s*xual attack on a lady in a lower Manhattan hotel between April 29, 2006 and May 6, 2006.
“Thanks to this survivor who bravely came forward, Harvey Weinstein now stands indicted for an additional alleged violent s*xual assault,” Bragg said in a statement.
“This investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s lawyer, told reporters following the arraignment that the alleged s*xual assault that led to the new indictment occurred “almost two decades ago” and that “at this moment I don’t know much more than that.”
Weinstein is serving a 16-year jail sentence after being convicted of r*pe charges in California.
He was also convicted in New York in 2020 of raping and s*xually assaulting an actress, as well as forcibly performing 0ral s*x on a production assistant.
He received a 23-year term in that case.
However, the New York Court of Appeals reversed Weinstein’s conviction in April, and he is now awaiting a retrial on the allegations.
The new trial was set to begin on November 12, but prosecutors warned Wednesday that the date was “unrealistic.”
Farber scheduled Weinstein’s next court hearing for October 2.
The former Hollywood heavyweight has suffered from a variety of health difficulties while in prison, including time in a special hospital unit.
Last week, Weinstein was transported to Bellevue Hospital from Rikers Island in New York for emergency heart surgery.
Allegations against Weinstein sparked the #MeToo movement in 2017, marking a watershed moment for women combating s*xual assault.
Over 80 women, including notable celebrities Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd, accused him of harassment, s*xual assault, or r*pe.
Weinstein maintained that any s*xual relationships in question were consensual.
Weinstein and his brother Bob cofounded Miramax Films.
Their successes included 1994’s “Pulp Fiction” and 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love,” for which Weinstein shared the best picture Oscar.