The incarcerated former movie producer is to be charged with two counts of indecent assault for an alleged offence that took place between July 31 and August 31, 1996.

• Jun 9, 2022

AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein is to be charged with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London in August 1996. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge the disgraced Hollywood producer following a review of evidence gathered by the police force.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS special crime division, said, "Charges have been authorized against Harvey Weinstein, 70, following a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan police in its investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial."

"The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider," Rosemary further elaborated.

The police said the alleged victim is a woman who is now in her 50s. The alleged offence took place between July 31 and August 31, 1996, the force added. A Scotland Yard spokesman said, "Detectives have been authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Harvey Weinstein, aged 70, with two counts of indecent assault against one woman in August 1996."

"The CPS' charging decision follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation," the representative continued dishing. "The Met Police has updated all those whose allegations formed part of this investigation."

Police started investigating Weinstein, who is currently serving a 23-year jail sentence following his February 2020 conviction for sexual assault and rape, in 2017 after several women in the U.K. and U.S. accused him of harassment or assault, including Hollywood actresses Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Weinstein is awaiting trial in Los Angeles on other alleged sex crimes from 2004 to 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges, and has denied any non-consensual sexual encounters. He is not eligible for release from prison until November 9, 2039, at the earliest, when he will be 87 years old.

Granted an honorary CBE in 2004 for his contribution to the British film industry in 2004, Weinstein was stripped of the honor in September 2020 by Queen Elizabeth following his conviction for rape and sexual assault.