Harvey Weinstein Denies Sexual Assault Charges After Extradition

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein (pictured February 2020) is in prison in northern New York state after being sentenced to 23 years in jail for rape and sexual assault

Harvey Weinstein will appear in a California court to face sexual assault charges after attempting to delay his extradition from a state prison near Buffalo, New York.

Weinstein arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon and was booked downtown, according to jail records. The disgraced movie mogul is being charged with 11 sexual assault counts.

The 69-year-old is facing four counts of forcible oral copulation, four counts of forcible rape, two of sexual battery by restraint and one of sexual penetration by use of force.

Weinstein’s rep, Juda Engelmayer, released a statement on Tuesday addressing his extradition, which he attempted to fight due to medical concerns.

“We will be fighting so that Harvey can receive his needed medical care and of course, so that he can be treated fairly,” she said. “Due process, presumption of innocence, and a fair trial are all still his right.”

Weinstein has also denied the charges against him in Los Angeles.

“Harvey Weinstein has always maintained that every one of his physical encounters throughout his entire life have been consensual,” Engelmayer said. “That hasn’t changed.”

Meanwhile, an attorney for one of Weinstein’s accusers praised his extradition to California after his trial on the west coast was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The opportunity to hold Weinstein accountable for his actions in California gives voice to the survivors including my client, Jane Doe 4,” Elizabeth Fegan, the accuser’s lawyer, said in a statement.

“They deserve to be heard and to have Weinstein answer for his actions. Our hope is that a guilty verdict in California will ensure that Harvey Weinstein will spend the rest of his life behind bars – securing justice for women everywhere.”

Weinstein could be arraigned as early as Wednesday morning. Prior to his extradition, Weinstein was serving his 23-year prison sentence following a rape conviction in New York.