Weinstein Team Goes On The Defense

The defense for both the civil and criminal allegations against Harvey Weinstein is going to take a four-tiered approach, all of which will be held in various courts in NYC.

Here's how the defense is taking shape:

#1 - The Grand Jury Was Not Given Proper Evidence.  Principally emails between Weinstein and a woman accusing him of rape in 2013.  The emails, allegedly suggest the relationship was consensual and continued after the incident in question.

#2 - Relationships Were Consensual.  To discredit his accusers Weinstein has released photographs and letters showing that the women maintained contact with him after the alleged assaults.

#3 - Company Didn't Hide Anything. Weinstein's defense team is trying to get a lawsuit filed by six women seeking a class-action suit (which if cleared would allow over 80 women to be part of the legal proceedings).  In court, the plaintiffs' lawyers were told they must prove that "an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity over an extended period of time."

Additionally, defense attorneys argued that the women have failed to back allegations of a conspiracy and sex trafficking as nothing was offered in exchange for sex.

#4 - Events Happened Too Long Ago. Defense attorneys have argued that the allegations for criminal charges are too old and lack any forensic evidence, ie. DNA.

So, there you have it. Weinstein won't be going down without a fight and some of his defenses have merit.  The saga continues.

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Jim Lavorato
Cinema Mucho Gusto