Harvey Weinstein has appeared in a New York court to plead not guilty to rape and criminal sex charges.
The disgraced Hollywood mogul appeared at New York Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 5), having been indicted last week.
The Guardian reports that Weinstein walked into the Manhattan court “with a limp, looking pale and taking in his surroundings. Seated between his attorneys, he said clearly in a low voice: ‘Not guilty.'”
Weinstein surrendered himself to face sexual misconduct charges late last month (May 25). He was charged with two counts of rape and one of a criminal sexual act. Weinstein then posted bail for $1m (£750,000).
The former Miramax boss is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room and forcing another woman to perform oral sex on him in his office in 2004. Weinstein has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of either offence.
A statement previously issued by Weinstein’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said: “After being unfairly denied access to critical information about this case that was needed to defend him before the grand jury, Mr Weinstein’s attorneys decided there was not sufficient time to properly prepare Mr Weinstein.”
In a statement responding to the indictment, Mr Brafman said: “The announcement of Mr Weinstein’s indictment, does not come as a surprise… We remind everyone that an indictment is merely a formal accusation. Mr Weinstein intends to enter a plea of not guilty and vigorously defend against these unsupported allegations that he strongly denies.”