Former Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, 74, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in New York for s+xually a+sa¥lting television production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006.
Haley said Weinstein forcibly performed or@l s+x on her at his Manhattan apartment. She had briefly worked on the Weinstein-produced reality show “Project Runway.”
During Wednesday’s sentencing, Weinstein asked for mercy, citing his age and health problems, including cancer and congestive heart failure. He apologised “to anyone I have affected with my actions” and said he had remorse for Haley, but maintained his innocence, stating, “I have to reiterate my innocence.” His lawyers said he would appeal.
Weinstein became one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers through films including “Pulp Fiction,” “Shakespeare in Love” and “Chocolat.” His career collapsed after numerous s+xual a+sa¥lt allegations emerged in 2017, helping trigger the #MeToo movement.
Judge Curtis Farber said Weinstein used his Hollywood influence to prey on women seeking opportunities in the industry, treating them as “mere objects to be played with and discarded with impunity.” The judge also said Weinstein’s refusal to accept responsibility influenced the sentence.
Haley, 49, told the court the as+sa¥lt had a devastating effect on her life and security. She said speaking out would have her “looking over my shoulder for years to come” and described the experience as “a life sentence for me.”
Weinstein has spent more than six years in prison. His original 23-year New York sentence was overturned in 2024 after the state’s highest court ruled that he had been prejudiced by testimony about allegations outside the case.
At his retrial, he was convicted over Haley’s a+sa¥lt but acquitted of a separate charge involving former model Kaja Sokola. Jurors could not reach a verdict on a r@pe charge involving Jessica Mann, which prosecutors later dropped after another retrial ended in a hung jury.
Weinstein also has a separate 16-year California sentence for a 2013 r@pe conviction.
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