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Hollywood Figure Harvey Weinstein Faced Oscars Party Ban Prior to Sexual Assault Convictions
Convicted of rape and sexual assault, disgraced Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein is currently serving a 39-year prison sentence. However, long before his downfall, the 72-year-old was reportedly permanently excluded from the guest list of Vanity Fair’s exclusive Oscars party, a pinnacle of Hollywood’s social calendar. According to former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, in his memoir “When the Going Was Good,” the now-convicted sex offender was the sole celebrity “banned” for life from the publication’s highly sought-after Academy Awards celebration.
Vanity Fair’s Ban Stemmed from “Rude” Behavior Towards Staff
Carter stated that Weinstein’s lifetime ban from the prestigious Oscars party was a direct consequence of his repeated disrespectful conduct. He claimed Weinstein “regularly showed up with more guests than his invitation indicated and would intimidate the staff,” asserting that this pattern of inappropriate behavior ultimately led to his permanent exclusion. “He got banned from everything because he was rude to the staff, and I didn’t like that,” Carter explained, emphasizing that the decision was based on Weinstein’s treatment of event personnel.
No Alcohol Excuse for Inappropriate Conduct
While speculation arose that alcohol might have been a factor in Weinstein’s behavior, Carter dismissed this notion. “It was not from drink. It was just within him,” Carter clarified, indicating that Weinstein’s inappropriate actions were inherent to his personality, not induced by substance use. Since 2017, over 80 women have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault, or rape, contributing to his dramatic fall from grace in Hollywood.
Legal Battles: From 2020 Conviction to Retrial on Sexual Assault Charges
In 2020, Weinstein was initially sentenced to 23 years in prison after being convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant in 2006 and the rape and sexual assault of an aspiring actress in 2013. He faced further legal repercussions in 2022, being found guilty on three additional charges, which resulted in an added 16 years to his sentence. These convictions underscored the severity of the sexual assault allegations against him.
Overturned Conviction Leads to Retrial and New Charge
However, the 2020 rape conviction was subsequently overturned. The appellate court cited that the trial judge “erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes,” deeming this prejudicial to the fairness of the trial. Consequently, Weinstein is now slated for retrial on the 2006 and 2013 charges. Furthermore, he faces a new charge, filed in September 2024, alleging another instance of forced oral sex on a different woman at a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
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Weinstein Pleads for Speedy Retrial Citing Declining Health
The woman involved in this newly filed charge, who has remained unnamed publicly, reportedly came forward to prosecutors just days before Weinstein’s initial trial commenced, according to court documents from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office. Prosecutors explained that while they initially did not pursue these allegations after his 23-year sentence, they revisited the case and secured a fresh indictment following the overturning of his conviction. Weinstein’s retrial is scheduled to begin on April 15 in state court in Manhattan. During his most recent court appearance in January, Weinstein appealed to the judge to expedite his retrial process, citing his rapidly deteriorating health condition.
“Everyday I’m at Rikers Island, it’s a mystery to me how I’m still walking,” Weinstein stated in court
Expressing the urgency of his situation, Weinstein pleaded with the court, stating: “Everyday I’m at Rikers Island [prison], it’s a mystery to me how I’m still walking. I’m holding on because I want justice for myself and I want this to be over with. I’m asking and begging you, your honor, to move your trial.” His plea underscores the personal toll of the ongoing legal battles and his desire for a swift resolution amidst serious health concerns.