A Manhattan prosecutor said the indictment has brought "the defendant another step closer to accountability." But the ex-film producer's lawyer said his client "strongly denies" allegations of non-consensual sex.
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A grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday indicted disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein on charges of rape and criminal sex act, bringing prosecutors one step closer to putting the producer on trial.
Weinstein has watched his career collapse after scores of women accused him of gross sexual misconduct, which gave rise to the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct.
High-profile sexual misconduct cases in the US
Since The New York Times published allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, many other prominent US men have faced harassment allegations. DW looks at some high-profile cases.
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The case that sparked a global debate
Harvey Weinstein has been accused by dozens of women of sexual harassment or sexual assaults, including rape. Under investigation by police departments in New York, London, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, Weinstein denies all allegations of non-consensual sex, but apologized for causing "a lot of pain." The case prompted many other women to come forward.
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Media men in glass houses
PBS and CBS host Charlie Rose is accused by several women of unwanted sexual advances, walking naked in front of them or making lewd phone calls. He has apologized for his behavior but questioned the accuracy of some of the allegations. Meanwhile, Journalist Mark Halperin is accused of harassing about 12 women while at ABC News.
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Politicians from the Republican party...
US Senate candidate Roy Moore, a Republican from Alabama, is accused of sexually assaulting two teenagers and pursuing relationships with several others decades ago, when he was in his 30s. He has denied the allegations. Former President George H.W. Bush was accused of patting seven women below the waist. The 93-year-old has issued apologies through a spokesman "to anyone he has offended."
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...and the Democrats
A senior figure in the US Democratic party, Minnesota Senator Al Franken is accused of forcibly kissing radio personality Leeann Tweeden and groping her while she slept during a 2006 tour to Afghanistan to entertain US troops. The former comedian who became a senator in 2009 has apologized, saying he felt "disgusted" with himself.
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Sexual misconduct in sports
Ex-USA gymnastics team doctor Lawrence "Larry" Nassar is accused of abusing over 100 female athletes. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct and could face 25 years in prison. Three of his victims were under 13 years old. Israeli IOC member Alex Gilady is accused by two women of rape and by two others of inappropriate conduct. He denies the rape accusations.
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Hollywood stars under scrutiny
Actor Kevin Spacey has been accused by at least 24 men of sexual misconduct or assault. London police are investigating two sexual assaults and he was fired from "House of Cards." Dustin Hoffman is accused by a woman of harassing her when she was 17. He has apologized for his behavior. Writer-director James Toback is accused by hundreds of women of sexual harassment. He denies the allegations.
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What we know:
Weinstein was arrested last week on charges including rape, criminal sex acts, sex abuse and sexual misconduct involving two women.
The charges stem from two separate incidents: one in 2013, when he allegedly attacked a woman, and another in 2004, when he allegedly committed a criminal sex act against another woman.
The former film producer has denied having any non-consensual sexual relations with women.
His lawyer, Ben Brafman, claims his client "shared a 10-year consensual sexual relationship that continued for years" with one of the defendants.
If Weinstein is convicted on the most serious charges, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
American actor Rose McGowan has said Weinstein raped her and that she was later "blacklisted" in Hollywood for speaking outImage: picture-alliance/empics/The Canadian Press/AP/Invision/R. Shotwell
'Crimes of violence'
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has hailed the grand jury's decision as a step in the right direction, saying: "This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged."
But Ben Brafman, Weinstein's lawyer, believes his client will make it out unscathed, saying: "We will soon formally move to dismiss the indictment and if this case actually proceeds to trial, we expect Mr. Weinstein to be acquitted."
#MeToo: From Italy to the US, more than 75 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, including assault and rape. The women include Angelina Jolie, Rose McGowan and Salma Hayek.
However, many of the cases have passed the statute of limitations, making it near impossible to prosecute.
