Harvey Weinstein claims he was “wrongfully convicted” in new interview from prison
In a new interview from prison, Harvey Weinstein has claimed he was “wrongfully convicted” of sexual crimes.
Weinstein has been incarcerated since being found guilty of a criminal sexual act in the first degree and third-degree rape in 2020. He was also found guilty of second-degree rape in 2022.
In 2024, Weinstein’s conviction relating to the 2020 verdict was overturned because the judge allowed unrelated testimony. The case is now being retrialled.
Now, while speaking to Candace Owens, Weinstein began by saying he was “wrongfully convicted” before stating he made mistakes but didn’t commit any crimes, claiming, “I hurt my family. I hurt my friends. I cheated on my wife. And that was a mistake, you know, a terrible mistake. But I did not commit these crimes. I swear that before God, and the people watching now, and on my family.”
The former film producer also blamed the pressures of the working environment for his infidelity, sharing to Owens, “Oh, I was not a good boss. I was tough and I was demanding, and I should have been better at it, but I wasn’t. I had a temper. You know, I just should have controlled myself better. And the pressures of that work was my excuse for the cheating.”
Weinstein also addressed allegations made by Gwyneth Paltrow regarding him casting her in the 1996 movie Emma and putting his hands on her in a hotel room before suggesting a massage, which he labelled as “a complete fabrication”. However, Weinstein admitted he “definitely made a pass” but claims no physical contact was made.
Elsewhere in the interview, Weinstein discussed the settlement of $100,000 he paid to Rose McGowan following a sexual encounter at the Sundance Film Festival, which she alleges was non-consensual. He says the payment was only to keep his infidelity a secret, stating, “I settled with Rose McGowan, I gave her $100,000, you know, to say…just don’t tell my wife, don’t get me in trouble.”
Weinstein is currently facing a retrial in New York City relating to charges of a criminal sexual act in the first degree and one count of third-degree rape, which he denies.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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