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Harvey Weinstein’s accuser whose testimony secured his second rape conviction files lawsuit against disgraced Hollywood mogul as he faces an additional 18-year sentence
A woman whose testimony led to Harvey Weinstein’s second conviction has filed a civil lawsuit against the disgraced filmmaker.
The woman, a European model known as Jane Doe #1 during court proceedings, alleged at Weinstein’s trial in Los Angeles last fall that he raped her in a hotel room in February 2013.
After ten days of deliberation, a jury convicted Weinstein on three counts, all related to Jane Doe #1. He was acquitted on another charge and the jury remained split on other charges.
The movie mogul had already been sentenced to 23 years in prison following his 2020 conviction in New York.
He will be sentenced in Los Angeles on February 23 and faces another 18 years in prison, despite his lawyers demanding a new trial.
The movie mogul was sentenced to 23 years in prison following his 2020 conviction in New York and faces another sentence in Los Angeles.
Weinstein faces a new prison sentence following his conviction in Los Angeles late last year. He is due to be sentenced at the end of this month.
The civil suit accuses the Oscar-winning film producer of sexual assault, unlawful imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeks compensation for physical and mental pain.
“Defendant Weinstein’s conduct was despicable and was done with malice, oppression and fraud, justifying an award of punitive damages against him,” the lawsuit argues.
Responding to the filing, Weinstein’s spokesman, Jude Engelmayer, said Weinstein refutes the allegations and that witnesses lied about crucial evidence at his trial in California.
In 2021, after his conviction in New York, a bankruptcy court approved a $17 million settlement and more than 50 accusers were paid.
The plaintiff in Thursday’s lawsuit was not among them.
At a hearing in Los Angeles on February 23, he faces a new prison term, even if he appeals both cases.
Prosecutors have asked for the full 18 years and for it to run consecutively with his sentence in New York.
Rumors about Weinstein’s behavior had circulated in Hollywood for years, but his position at the top of the industry meant few were prepared to challenge him.
That all changed in 2017 with the release of explosive allegations against her, ushering in the #MeToo movement and opening the floodgates for women to speak out against sexual violence in the workplace.
Since then, dozens of women have claimed they fell victim to Weinstein’s predatory behavior.