Weinstein pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges

Harvey Weinstein is reportedly pleading not guilty to sexual assault charges that could send him to prison for life.

The former Hollywood movie mogul appeared in a Manhattan court for a Monday arraignment, according to The Associated Press, and was released on bail.

Last week, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced three additional charges against the 66-year-old producer, including an additional count of criminal sexual act in the first degree for allegedly forcing sex with a woman in 2006, and two counts of predatory sexual assault.

The additional charges carry a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum life sentence.

In May, a state grand jury had indicted Weinstein on charges of rape and committing a criminal sexual act.

“Mr. Weinstein maintains that all of these allegations are false and he expects to be fully vindicated,” Weinstein’s attorney, Ben Brafman, said on Monday.

A pair of 2017 exposés in The New York Times and The New Yorker detailed allegations against Weinstein from multiple accusers dating back decades.

The revelations are credited with catalyzing the “Me Too” and “Times Up” movements, which seek to battle sexual assault, harassment and sexism in the workplace.