Harvey Weinstein charged with sexual assault in Los Angeles

Using a walking frame, Harvey Weinstein appeared in court in New York on MondayImage copyright
Reuters

Image caption

Using a walking frame, Harvey Weinstein appeared in court in New York on Monday

Harvey Weinstein has been charged with sexual assault in Los Angeles on the same day he appeared in a New York court on a separate case.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said the charges related to the alleged sexual assault of two women in 2013.

If convicted, Mr Weinstein could face up to 28 years in prison.

The film producer earlier appeared in a New York court, where he faces separate charges of rape and sexual assault.

  • Weinstein appears in New York court for sex assault trial

He has said all his relationships were consensual but admitted that he had “caused a lot of pain”.

His lawyers have vowed to mount an aggressive defence against the allegations, which spurred the #MeToo and Times Up movements against sexual impropriety.

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Media captionWeinstein accusers take questions outside court in New York

“We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them,” Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement.

“I want to commend the victims who have come forward and bravely recounted what happened to them,” she added. “It is my hope that all victims of sexual violence find strength and healing as they move forward.”

What are the latest charges?

LA County prosecutors charged Mr Weinstein with allegedly raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013.

On 18 February, 2013, Mr Weinstein allegedly went to a hotel and raped a woman after pushing his way inside her room, prosecutors said.

A day later, prosecutors said, Mr Weinstein allegedly assaulted a woman at a hotel suite in Beverly Hills.

Prosecutors are recommending bail be set at $5m (£3.7m).

source: bbc.com