The downfall of Harvey Weinstein is a Hollywood legend these days, and the unscrupulous mogul has come to be seen as a living embodiment of the fact that the rich and powerful are not above the law.
And now, many of Weinstein’s victims can breathe easier knowing that their tormentors will almost certainly die behind bars.
The 70-year-old was sentenced on Thursday to an additional 16 years in prison.
Weinstein has served a 23-year sentence for a previous conviction in New York.
This week’s sentence comes from a separate case involving crimes committed by Weinstein in California.
Weinstein was convicted in December of three charges: rape, forced oral intercourse and sexual penetration by foreign object Jane Doe 1.
According to Page Six, the victim was identified in court as an Italian model, and the attack took place at the Hotel Mr. C LA in February 2013.
Weinstein was found not guilty in the fourth charge, sexual battery by restraint of Jane Doe 3, a massage therapist, at the time.
Weinstein’s lawyer said that the sentence was a miscarriage of justice, and that the prosecutors unfairly decided to make an example of their client.
“It’s not justice, but it’s a pile for a lot of people who just decided to throw it away and throw it away regardless of the facts. Will appeal,” said Juda S. Engelmayer.
“Judges, like trial judges in New York courts who are not reappointed to the bench, will eventually be called biased and unfair,” Engelmayer continued.
“There are many out there who will celebrate this act, but today is a sad day for justice and fairness, and I hope that no one who likes this will be caught on the wrong side of canceling a culture when there is no hope and no voice profess innocence.”
“It’s incredible to be convicted of a crime I didn’t commit. I’m innocent,” Weinstein said in a statement published to Page Six.
“I have never raped or assaulted anyone,” he added, before saying:
“This man lied to himself at least three times and then demanded money, when he said he would ‘never’. I have never been with him. All his statements are a setup to get money.
This week’s conviction all but guarantees that Weinstein will never regain his freedom.
It is small consolation to those who have been destroyed, but I hope they can take solace in knowing that justice has been served.