The Hollywood producer was sentenced to 23 years in 2020 after a similar conviction in New York.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood director and producer, has been sentenced to 16 more years in prison by a Los Angeles court for rape.
The 70-year old is likely to be sentenced to life in prison, along with his 23-year sentence from 2020 for a similar conviction he received in New York.
The new sentence was handed down after a jury found him responsible for attacking an Italian actress, model and actor, identified only as Jane Doe 1, during a Los Angeles film festival in 2013.
Weinstein, who denied all charges, begged the judge to spare him a life sentence as he sat on a wheelchair in the courtroom, wearing a prison outfit.
“I maintain my innocence.” He said, “I never raped Jane Doe #1 or sexually assaulted her.”
As Weinstein spoke, the woman who was convicted of raping Weinstein sobbed in court. Moments before, she had told the court about the pain that she felt after being attacked Weinstein.
“Before this night, I was a very confident and happy woman. She said through tears, “I valued myself and my relationship with God. “I was excited for my future. After the defendant brutally attacked me, everything changed. “There is no prison term long enough to undo all the damage.”
In December, jurors found Weinstein guilty of two counts of sexual assault and one count of rape. In October, at the opening of the trial, she described in a dramatic way how Weinstein entered her hotel room uninvited in the days leading up to the Oscars. He then assaulted her.
Judge Lisa B. Lench gave Weinstein a total of 16 years in prison for his crimes. This included eight years for a count of forcible rape, six years for forced oral copulation, and two years for forcing penetration with an object.
Weinstein’s attorney cited the producer’s age and poor health to suggest that a long prison sentence would make it very unlikely for him to see his five children again.
Mark Werksman, the judge’s lawyer, said that Mr Weinstein had done a great deal of good in his 50-year career. “He was someone that many famous film stars would thank in the Oscar speeches.”
Jane Doe 1 could be heard crying throughout Werksman’s and Weinstein’s remarks to the Judge.
The producer accused her of fabricating her story. “Jane Doe # 1 is an actress.” She can turn on the tears,” said Weinstein who insisted that he had not met the woman. Please don’t send me to prison for life. I don’t deserve it. “There are so many things that are wrong with this case.”
The jury acquitted Weinstein on the charge of sexual battery against a massage therapist, but failed to reach a verdict on two other counts.
After the sentencing, the massage therapist, who was known as Jane Doe 3 during the trial, issued a statement through her lawyer. “No woman will ever have to fear Harvey Weinstein, as he won’t leave prison.”
The latest sentence has exacerbated the fall of the former movie magnate, who became a magnet to the #MeToo Movement.
The highest court in New York has agreed to hear the appeal of his convictions for rape and assault. Los Angeles prosecutors have not yet said if they will retry Weinstein for counts on which they could not reach a decision. Next month, a hearing will be held to discuss the possibility of a retrial.
He will be eligible to parole in New York by 2039.
