Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison, Will be Extradited to LA

TIME magazine responded to the Weinstein scandal with a dramatic and damning cover design for its October 23, 2017 double-issue, slamming the fallen Hollywood mogul with the tagline, “Producer, predator, pariah.”

Manhattan judge James Burke sentenced disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein to 23 years in prison Wednesday, March 11, resulting from his Feb. 24 convictions of rape and criminal sexual assault. Weinstein faced up to 29 years in prison at his sentencing. Prosecutors had asked for 25 years or close to it.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance thanked the court for “Imposing a sentence that puts seexual predators and abusive partners in all segments of society on notice”, before adding “We thank the survivors for their remarkable statements today and indescribable courage over the last two years. Harvey Weinstein deployed nothing less than an army of spies to keep them silent. But they refused to be silent, and they were heard. Their words took down a predator and put him behind bars, and gave hope to survivors of sexual violence all across the world.”

After the sentencing, officials from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced that the process is already underway to extradite Weinstein to LA, where he will face charges of sex abuse. A Los Angeles arraignment date has not been set.

Weinstein was charged with four counts of rape and sexual battery, which stem from accusations by two women claiming Weinstein attacked them in hotels in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills in 2013.

"We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them," Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said when he was charged. "I want to commend the victims who have come forward and bravely recounted what happened to them. It is my hope that all victims of sexual violence find strength and healing as they move forward."

The L.A. charges carry a potential sentence of up to 28 years in state prison.