Prosecutor: Harvey Weinstein may face new charges in New York as new sexual harassment allegations emerge

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From Desheania Andrews And Steve Janoski

Prosecutors in Manhattan may seek new charges against Harvey Weinstein in the wake of new sexual harassment allegations – at the same time as the disgraced movie mogul’s retrial for rape is scheduled to begin later this year.

Prosecutors are still deciding which of the new claims are time-barred, Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg said Wednesday at a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court, adding that some potential survivors who were too shy to testify in Weinstein’s first trial may be willing to come forward in the second.

“We are actively investigating all allegations of sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein,” Blumberg said. “Some people who were not ready to speak out in 2020 now seem ready to do so in 2024.”

Judge Curtis Farber also strongly reminded the lawyers involved that they should “refrain from pandering to the press” and that the case would be decided in the courtroom – and not “in the court of public opinion.”

Farber’s comments came in response to a letter from prosecutors asking the court to “remind the defense of its ethical obligations” not to discuss or disparage potential witnesses before the retrial.

In the May 23 letter, Blumberg argued that Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, made remarks earlier this month intended to intimidate Miriam “Mimi” Haley, a former television and film production assistant who Weinstein was found guilty of sexually assaulting at his 2020 trial.

“I have no objection to the comments that Mr. Aidala wants to make in this courtroom,” Blumberg said. “My problem is leaving this courtroom and making public statements outside at a press conference that is specifically designed to intimidate witnesses.”

Aidala subsequently apologized to the court and claimed that there had never been any ethical complaints against him in the past.

“I made some statements about the witness who testified in the last case that are accurate – consistent with our position that lies were told,” Aidala told the judge.

“I didn’t say that to intimidate anyone,” he continued. “I just said, look, it’s the truth. And we’re going to retry the case with witnesses who testified the first time, who lied on the stand and are now being cross-examined. I don’t think that’s news.”

“That is not my style and not my way,” he added. “And I apologize to you, Judge Farber, in any case if you have called my comments inappropriate.”

Farber responded that “all sides are entitled to a fair trial” decided by a jury without bias or prejudice.

“This can only be achieved if the potential jurors are spared from comments intended to influence them,” the judge said. “Therefore, both sides must refrain from giving in to the press.”

“There is only one court in which this case will be heard, and it will not be a court of public opinion,” he continued.

“There will be a single court where justice will be done.”

Weinstein, 72, wore a dark blue suit as he was pushed into the courtroom in a wheelchair – a result of his numerous health problems.

The public prosecutor will inform the court about the further progress of the case at the end of June, said Blumberg.

Weinstein’s next court date is July 9, and his retrial is scheduled for sometime after Labor Day.

The fallen mogul was convicted in 2020 of raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann and sexually assaulting Haley, a former production assistant on “Project Runway.”

But New York State’s highest court overturned the convictions last month after ruling that the trial judge should not have allowed testimony based on allegations from women who were not part of the case.

Weinstein claims the sexual act was consensual.

After the hearing on Wednesday, Haley’s attorney Gloria Allred held a press conference in which she sharply criticized Aidala for the “unjustified, vicious and wrong attack.”

“I find Mr. Aidala’s conduct toward my client particularly egregious because he was involved in the appeal of Weinstein’s conviction. This means that Mr. Aidala had the transcript of the trial, including the testimony on cross-examination, and therefore knew or should have known that, as the District Attorney stated in the letter, ‘Ms. Haley did not commit perjury,'” the well-known women’s rights attorney told reporters.

Aidala said after Allred’s press conference that he would “respect” the judge’s decision and “move on from there.” His client was “confident” that no other alleged victims would come forward.

“We don’t seem to be very concerned about it. He knows he never did anything like that,” he told reporters about Weinstein.

“Honestly, we are ready for the process,” he added.

Weinstein, who was serving a 23-year prison sentence in New York, was convicted of another rape two years ago in Los Angeles.

He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in California.

With post wires