Harvey Weinstein jailed for 15 years for sex crime against his assistant

Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul once at the center of power in Hollywood, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for sexually assaulting a former production assistant, Miriam Haley, in 2006. This follows his conviction after a retrial in New York last year and overturning of his original 2020 conviction by the state's highest court in 2024 due to prejudicial testimony from other women whose allegations were not part of the case.

Weinstein, now 74, was rolled into Manhattan Supreme Court in a wheelchair, pleading for "mercy" and acknowledging he is "not perfect." Prosecutors sought up to 25 years in prison but had indicated they would accept 15 years. Judge Curtis Farber noted Weinstein's legacy could have been greatness but instead included the assault on Haley.

Haley, who was present at the sentencing, stated that being sexually assaulted by Weinstein has caused her "devastating effects" and a loss of security that may never fully recover. She had testified twice about the incident where Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her after inviting her back to his Manhattan apartment.