New York Police Department claims strong sex crimes case against Hollywood movie tycoon
NYPD Statement regarding previous investigation of Harvey Weinstein:
“The case was carried out by experienced detectives and supervisors from NYPD’s Special Victims Unit. The detectives used well established investigative techniques. The recorded conversation with the subject corroborates the acts that were the basis for the victim’s complaint to the police a day earlier. This follow-up recorded conversation was just one aspect of the case against the subject. This evidence, along with other statements and timeline information was presented to the office of the Manhattan District Attorney.”
– Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen P. Davis, NYPD
According to the national news media, it’s possible that there are allegations from well over 75 women who are claiming they were sexually harassed, sexually assaulted or the victims of other sex crimes at the hands of Hollywood film tycoon Harvey Weinstein who is the owner of the prolific motion picture corporation Miramax
Besides his lucrative Miramax cash cow, Weinstein is also an independent film producer who has worked with some of Hollywood’s most famous and wealthy directors, producers, screenwriters and actors.
“Although the majority of complainants’ accusations appear credible, since the ‘he said/she said’ nature of the complaints and the fact that there are no witnesses and no physical evidence to examine, police officers in New York and other jurisdictions need to be slow and deliberate in their investigations,” according to former Sex Crimes Unit (now called Special Victims Unit) detective M.J. McManus. “Weinstein appears to be capable of such criminal acts since he has garnered a reputation as the cliched ‘aggressive fat cat’ who believes his money and power entitle him to balk at decency and morality,” McManus told Conservative Base..
The NYPD claims that so far their case against Weinstein continues to fall short of having direct and forensic evidence. But, Weinstein hasn’t escaped justice yet. “I’ve seen cases based on an enormous amount of circumstantial evidence that ended in convictions,” said former criminal prosecutor and police official Michael Baker. “But the NYPD and the New York County District Attorney in Manhattan are going to have their work cut-out for them since Weinstein will attract the best and brightest criminal lawyers in the country. Remember the O.J. Simpson murder trial? He got away with it” Baker noted.
The New York Police Department says they have a real case against him, not just a series of accusations. They released a statement last week in which they said they have actionable evidence against him:
Police in New York City said Friday that they think an actress who accused Harvey Weinstein of raping her twice in 2010 “is credible,” saying that authorities continue to gather evidence for a possible arrest warrant.
“We have an actual case here,” Robert Boyce, chief of detectives for the New York City Police Department, said at a briefing.
Boyce’s remarks came not long after Paz de la Huerta, the “Boardwalk Empire” actress, told Vanity Fair that Weinstein raped her twice during separate encounters in 2010.
A spokesperson for the NYPD said in a press conference that if Weinstein was still in New York, they would move to make an arrest without delay.
Aaron Fuller, an attorney representing Boardwalk Empire star Paz de la Huerta, asserted that his client was raped on two separate occasions by Weinstein.
“The instances which are said to have happened in 2010 at la Huerta’s New York City apartment would be well within the time limits of any statute of limitations, and Weinstein would not be protected on those grounds,” claimed Fuller whose client lives in New York City and Weinstein had committed the two alleged rapes of the young actress in that city.
La Huerta gave an interview to Vanity Fair magazine in which she alleges “it was disgusting. He is like a pig. He raped me!”
Since the breaking of the news about the Weinstein sex crimes case, other Hollywood figures on bothsides of the movie or television cameras are being accused of salacious or criminal conduct including Ben Afleck and Kevin Spacey. More accusations are expected as the scandals multiply.
