Harvey Weinstein Indicted on Multiple Sex Charges

RadioOnFire.com - It is now crystal clear that the former film producer, Harvey Weinstein, has been indicted on charges of rape in the first and third degrees and first-degree criminal sexual act, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced, Hollywood Unlocked reports.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. on Wednesday announced the indictment, saying it brings Weinstein "another step closer to accountability." DA Vance's statement which read: "A Grand Jury has voted to indict Harvey Weinstein on charges of Rape in the First and Third Degrees, and Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree. This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged."

Weinstein’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman released a statement in response, "The Indictment merely mirrors the same charges in the criminal court Complaint and does not add anything to the case we did not already know." If found guilty, the Oscar-winning producer may spend 25 years behind bars, Deadline reports.

It was merely on Friday when Harvey Weinstein surrendered himself to the NYPD. He was arrested and charged with two accounts of rape (one involving force) and criminal sexual act in the first degree for alleged assaults against two women. The incidents occurred between 2013 and 2014. There are currently 12 pending lawsuits against Harvey Weinstein.

Brafman said that with a deadline set for Wednesday afternoon for Weinstein to testify or not, prosecutors denied his request for more time. Vance said the Weinstein camp's "recent assault on the integrity of the survivors and the legal process is predictable," Hollywood Reporter reports. Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein co-founded the entertainment company Miramax.