Harvey Weinstein 'raped future wife of California governor', court hears
25 October 2022, 15:21 | Updated: 25 October 2022, 15:50
Harvey Weinstein allegedly raped the future first lady of California after luring her to a hotel room for a business meeting, a court has heard.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The disgraced former movie mogul, who is already serving a 23-year prison sentence for rape, is in court again accused of attacking Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California governor Gavin Newsom, among several other women.
Deputy district attorney Paul Thompson told the court that each of the women said Weinstein, 70, had enticed them to hotel rooms and forced them to have sex, with the promise of furthering their fledgling film careers.
Harvey Weinstein accuser's hugely emotional reaction to his sentence
Weinstein denies the charges, and says all of the encounters were consensual.
Read more: Harvey Weinstein jailed for 23 years in landmark sexual assault case
His lawyer said Weinstein’s accusers had willingly taken advantage of Hollywood’s “casting couch” culture by having “transactional sex” because of his power.
The jury in the Los Angeles trial heard that when he had brought Ms Siebel Newsom back to the room, Weinstein changed into a bathrobe before calling her to the bathroom, where he told her to “touch him” .
Mr Thompson said Weinstein went from “pleading" to "aggressive and commanding”.
He then pulled her over to the bed and told Ms Siebel Newsom: “Relax, this is going to make you feel better”. Weinstein then raped her.
Read more: Harvey Weinstein to be charged with indecent assault in London in 1996
The actress and film director felt compelled to stay in touch after the alleged assault because he had such an influential role in the film industry.
One of Harvey Weinstein's victims gave LBC this remarkable account
Defending, Mark Werksman, representing Weinstein, told the court the women consented to sex to help their careers and said: “He is not Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Do you think these beautiful women had sex with him because he is hot?
"No. They had sex with him because he is powerful.”
Read more: Male cross-dresser tries to have sex with dog in public
Mr Werksman said Ms Siebel Newsom was “just another bimbo”.
Weinstein attended the court in a wheelchair, and has pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues.
