Harvey Weinstein Facing Charges Of Sex Trafficking
A sex trafficking lawsuit has been added to the three rape charges disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein is facing.
A federal judge in New York has refused Weinstein's motion to dismiss the claim, made by British actress Kadian Noble who alleges Weinstein assaulted her in 2014, ABC reports.
Noble says Weinstein lured her to a hotel room during Cannes Film Festival, under the guise of looking over her acting work.
Weinstein then allegedly put his hands on her, pulled her shirt down, forced her legs open and began masturbating, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite Weinstein arguing he didn't commit sex trafficking because no one was paid, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Sweet noted the statute covers acts of enticement and gave the green light for the lawsuit to go ahead.
Despite over 80 women coming forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against the 66-year-old, Weinstein was only charged with rape and other sexual crimes against two of them in May.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Weinstein was indicted on rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree and committing a criminal sexual act. The charges relate to sexual acts allegedly against two women dating back to 2004 and 2013.
A third woman's rape charge was later added, which dates back to 2006. These charges are punishable by a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, BBC reports.
