The latest allegations of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein will likely result in criminal charges against the American film producer.
Actress Paz de la Huerta, best known for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, first contacted police on October 25, accusing Weinstein of raping her in her apartment on two separate occasions in 2010. New York police have confirmed that her claim is credible and are actively investigating Weinstein, gathering evidence in order to obtain an arrest warrant. Chief of Detectives, Robert Boyce, told reporters that de la Huerta’s case was credible because of her “ability to articulate each and every movement of the crime — where she was, where they met, where this happened and what he did,” also saying that her account had been corroborated.
Weinstein is currently in Arizona for sex-addiction rehab, so police will need to secure an arrest warrant in order to bring him to New York. A police official reportedly said that if Weinstein were in New York state, he would have already been arrested.
Though numerous women have accused Weinstein of similar behavior, de la Huerta’s case is unique in that it is within the statue of limitations and under NYPD jurisdiction.
Weinstein has now been accused of sexual harassment or assault by almost 80 women. In addition to the New York investigation, there are open criminal investigations into allegations against Weinstein in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and London. Weinstein has denied any allegations of non-consensual sex on multiple occasions.
Photo: David Shankbone
