The fall of Harvey Weinstein is the stuff of Hollywood legend these days, and the disgraced mogul has come to be seen as the living embodiment of the fact that even the rich and powerful are not above the law.
And now, many of Weinstein’s victims can breathe a little sigh of relief with the knowledge that their harasser will almost certainly die behind bars.
The 70-year-old was sentenced on Thursday to an additional 16 years in prison.
Weinstein was already serving a 23-year sentence in New York for previous convictions.
This week’s sentencing relates to a separate case in California involving crimes committed by Weinstein.
Weinstein was indicted in December on three charges: forcible rape, forcible oral intercourse and sexual penetration of Jane Doe 1 by foreign object.
According to Page Six, that victim was identified in court as an Italian model, and the assault took place in February 2013 at the Mister C Hotel in LA.
Weinstein was found not guilty on a fourth charge of sexual battery by the restraint of Jane Doe 3, a massage therapist at the time.
An attorney for Weinstein tells the outlet that the conviction is a gross miscarriage of justice, and that prosecutors have unfairly decided to make an example of their client.
“This is not justice, but a lynching of a man that many have just decided should be dismissed regardless of the facts. It will be appealed,” says Judah S. Engelmayer.
Engelmayer continues, “Judges, like the trial judge in his New York trial, who were not reassigned to the bench will eventually be called out for favoritism and injustice.”
“There are many who will celebrate this action, but it is a sad day for justice and fairness, and I hope that anyone who is not happy with this ever declares itself hopeless and innocent, rejecting the culture Don’t get caught on the wrong side of doing.”
“To be convicted of a crime for which I was not even present is unbelievable. I am innocent,” Weinstein said in a statement released to Page Six.
“I have never raped or assaulted anyone,” he said before making the allegation:
“This person hurt herself at least three times and then sued for the money, when on the stand she said she ‘never’ would. I was never with her. Her whole claim is a ploy to grab money.” was setup.
This week’s conviction only assures that Weinstein will not regain his freedom.
It’s small comfort to those whose lives he destroyed, but hopefully they can take some solace in the knowledge that justice has finally been served.