Harvey Weinstein Has Been Sentenced To 23 Years In Prison
The disgraced Hollywood producer told his sentencing hearing he was “totally confused” in the wake of the #MeToo movement
- by
Elyssa Kostopoulos
WARNING: This story deals with sexual assault and may be triggering to some. If you, or anyone you know, needs help contact 1800 RESPECT.
Two years after dozens of women bravely came forward with accusations of sexual assault and rape against disgraced Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein, the ex-producer has been sentenced in a New York courtroom to 23 years in prison.
Watch below: Harvey Weinstein found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Weinstein was given 20 years in prison on a first-degree count of criminal sexual act, and another three years on a charge of third-degree rape. His sentences will run consecutively, not concurrently, following with five years of supervised release for both charges. Weinstein will also be registered as a sex offender.
Before the sentencing was delivered, Weinstein addressed the Manhattan courtroom for the first time during the court’s session, pleading for leniency.
“I have remorse for all of you,” referring to the six women who testified against him in the landmark case. But any remorse for his victims appeared short-lived, with Weinstein continuing his speech by pushing back at the #MeToo movement, while talking up his charity work instead.
“I am totally confused,” he said. “I think men are confused about all of this…this feeling of thousands of men and women who are losing due process. I’m worried about this country.”
“This is not the right atmosphere in the United States of America,” Weinstein added.
Lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon opened the session by painting one final sketch of Weinstein as a powerful abuser who “got drunk on that power” of holding “the dreams of many people in their hands.”
She also noted that without his conviction, Weinstein “would never have been stopped from hurting and destroying more lives” commending the women who testified, “sacrificed their privacy and, at times, their wellbeing” to ensure that.
Weinstein was facing a maximum sentence of 29 years for his crimes and is still facing rape and sexual battery charges in Los Angeles as well as several civil lawsuits.
