He will also be registered as a sex offender in what is the most stunning fall from grace for a man who was on the frontline of bringing celebrated movies, ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and ‘The English Patient’ to the big screen.
Before his sentence was handed down, he spoke to the court, according to Variety.
“I am totally confused,” he said. “I think men are confused about all of this…this feeling of thousands of men and women who are losing due process, I’m worried about this country.”
“This is not the right atmosphere in the United States of America,” he finished.
He also said that he had serious friendships with Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann, who revealed different things in court, accusing Weinstein of rape and sexual assault.
“I really feel remorse for this situation,” the former Hollywood producer said in court. “I feel it deeply in my heart. I will spend my time really caring and really trying to be a better person.”
“I’m not going to say that these aren’t great people,” he also said of his accusers. “I’ve had wonderful times with these people.”
Judge James Burke sentenced Harvey Weinstein to 20 years in prison for first-degree criminal sex act and three years in prison for third-degree rape.
The sentences will run concurrently and both come with five years of supervision post-release.
“If Harvey Weinstein had not been convicted by this jury, it would have happened again and again and again,” Haley told the court, according to CNN. “I’m relieved he will now know he’s not above the law. I’m relieved there are women out there who are safer because he’s not out there.”
14 thoughts on “Disgraced movie executive, Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison in rape case”