Harvey Weinstein is considering the possibility of entering a guilty plea to resolve an undecided rape charge and avoid facing trial for the third time in New York, a judge revealed on Thursday. Despite discussions of a plea deal, the disgraced film producer maintained a defiant stance during a court hearing, asserting, “I know I was unfaithful, I know I acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone.”
Weinstein’s statement came after Judge Curtis Farber rejected his attempt to overturn his sole conviction from a previous trial, which involved forcibly performing oral sex on a woman in 2006, carrying a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison. The same trial resulted in Weinstein’s acquittal on a similar charge related to a different woman in 2006 and a hung jury on a charge of raping hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
Weinstein’s legal team had argued that the June verdict in a Manhattan state court was influenced by internal conflicts and coercion among jurors. Judge Farber dismissed these claims and scheduled a new trial for the unresolved third-degree rape charge on March 3.
The potential charge of third-degree rape carries a maximum penalty of four years, which is less than the time Weinstein has already served. Expressing disappointment with the judge’s decision, Weinstein accused a juror of bringing personal biases into deliberations, intimidating others, and spreading false accusations, which he claimed compromised the impartiality of the trial.
Following the judge’s ruling, Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, expressed a desire to engage in plea negotiations before entering private discussions with the judge, prosecutors, and fellow defense attorneys. Weinstein requested additional time to deliberate on the plea offer.
This development marks another twist in Weinstein’s complex legal journey through the criminal justice system. The high-profile #MeToo-era case has spanned seven years, involving trials in two states, a reversal of a conviction, and a tumultuous retrial that concluded messily in New York last year. Throughout the proceedings, Weinstein has consistently denied all allegations against him.
The trials stemmed from a wave of sexual harassment and assault accusations that surfaced publicly in 2017, fueling the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. Weinstein initially apologized for his past behavior with colleagues while maintaining his innocence regarding nonconsensual sexual encounters.
During the trial, Weinstein’s defense team argued that the accusers willingly engaged with him in hopes of advancing their careers in the entertainment industry, only to later fabricate allegations to secure financial settlements and publicity.
The split verdict in June followed instances of jurors expressing concerns about internal conflicts. One juror reported being shunned by fellow panel members, while the foreperson highlighted verbal confrontations and improper discussions about Weinstein’s past. The foreperson later raised safety concerns after feeling pressured to change their stance, ultimately halting deliberations.
Judge Farber emphasized the confidentiality of jury deliberations and cautioned against disclosing their contents. Weinstein’s legal team has since engaged with jurors who raised concerns about the deliberation process.
Weinstein is also appealing a rape conviction in Los Angeles while being held in New York.