Harvey Weinstein, the fallen Hollywood producer, won’t face criminal charges for indecent assault in the UK, according to prosecutors on Thursday. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) cited insufficient evidence, stating there is “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” related to the alleged incident from 1996.
The CPS released a statement encouraging potential victims of sexual assault to come forward, emphasizing their commitment to prosecuting cases that meet legal standards.
While this decision concludes the UK’s legal actions against Weinstein, his troubles are far from over. Currently imprisoned in New York, he is awaiting retrial for rape and sexual assault charges. In 2020, he was convicted for assaulting a production assistant and raping an aspiring actress, receiving a 23-year sentence.
However, his rape conviction was overturned by New York’s highest court in April, due to a significant legal error during the trial, allowing irrelevant testimonies that affected the case. Reports in July indicated that he might face new charges related to additional violent sexual assaults.
Weinstein, who continues to assert his innocence, also faces forthcoming legal challenges in California. After his New York retrial, he is expected to serve a 16-year sentence for a separate conviction in Los Angeles from 2022. To date, nearly 90 women have accused Weinstein of various sexual misconducts, with many claiming he offered career advancement in exchange for sexual favors over nearly three decades.
The 72-year-old is currently held at Rikers Island, where he has encountered health issues, including heart problems and diabetes. During recent court appearances, he has appeared in a wheelchair and remained silent throughout the hearings.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press