Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday, more than a year after a jury found the former Hollywood mogul guilty of sexually assaulting former “Project Runway” production assistant Miriam Haley in a high-stakes retrial.
\n\nWeinstein, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree criminal sexual act, appeared in the downtown Manhattan courtroom in a wheelchair, his hands cuffed to his seat.
\n\nIn a victim impact statement read aloud in the courtroom, Haley said Weinstein “abused his position and power,” causing a “devastating effect on my life and security.”
\n\n“It is a life sentence for me,” Haley said.
\n\nWeinstein also addressed the court, again denying the allegations against him while apologizing to “anyone I may have hurt by my actions.”
\n\n“I am not a perfect person,” he said, “but I am a person who has made mistakes.” He later added: “I am not a violent man.”
\n\nJudge Curtis Farber excoriated Weinstein before handing down his sentence. “You took what you wanted by force, and you have never accepted responsibility,” the judge told the former entertainment industry kingmaker.
\n\nFarber said Weinstein’s 15-year sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release and a requirement that he register…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business