Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Harvey Weinstein
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Harvey Weinstein.
Harvey Weinstein is an American film producer and convicted sex offender. He co-founded Miramax in 1979 with his brother Bob, producing successful independent films like 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Shakespeare in Love,' for which he won an Academy Award. He also won seven Tony Awards for producing plays and musicals. After Miramax, he co-founded The Weinstein Company (TWC) with his brother and served as co-chairman. Weinstein's career was later overshadowed by numerous allegations of sexual assault and harassment, leading to his conviction.
1977: Roman Polanski charged for drugging and raping
In September 2009, Harvey Weinstein publicly voiced opposition to efforts to extradite Roman Polanski from Switzerland to the U.S. regarding a 1977 charge that he had drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl, to which Polanski pleaded guilty before fleeing the country.
1989: Controversy over X-Rated Films and MPAA Lawsuit
In 1989, Miramax Films released two arthouse films that received an X-rating from the MPAA, leading to a lawsuit against the MPAA rating system.
1993: Re-edited Farewell My Concubine
In 1993, Harvey Weinstein re-edited Cannes Palme d'Or winner Farewell My Concubine for U.S. theatrical release. 1993 Cannes jury head Louis Malle was furious.
August 31, 1996: Alleged Indecent Assault in London
Between July 31 and August 31, 1996, Harvey Weinstein allegedly committed two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London, leading to formal charges on June 8, 2022.
1997: Criticized for Altering Foreign Films
In 1997, Harvey Weinstein was criticized for altering the vision of foreign filmmakers hired to create movies for Miramax, such as on the 1997 projects Mimic (directed by Guillermo del Toro) and Nightwatch (directed by Dane Ole Bornedal).
2002: Delayed Release of The Quiet American
In 2002, Harvey Weinstein delayed the release of Phillip Noyce's "The Quiet American" following the September 11 attacks due to audience reaction.
2004: Alleged Sexual Misconduct
In 2004, some of the alleged acts of rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual battery Harvey Weinstein was charged with in Los Angeles allegedly took place, leading to a trial that commenced in October 2022.
2006: New Allegation Involving Forcing Oral Sex
In 2006, a new allegation will be included in Harvey Weinstein's retrial involving a woman who wasn’t in the original case. The woman alleges he forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel.
October 13, 2008: Accusations of Hassling Sydney Pollack
On October 13, 2008, Harvey Weinstein was accused of "hassling Sydney Pollack on his deathbed" about the release of the film "The Reader".
September 2009: Opposition to Polanski Extradition
In September 2009, Harvey Weinstein publicly voiced opposition to efforts to extradite Roman Polanski from Switzerland to the U.S.
February 2011: Michael Moore Took Legal Action
In February 2011, filmmaker Michael Moore took legal action against the Weinstein brothers, claiming they owed him $2.7 million in profits for his documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004).
February 2012: Moore Dropped the Lawsuit
In February 2012, Michael Moore dropped the lawsuit against the Weinstein brothers for an undisclosed settlement.
2013: Sexual Assault Allegations in Los Angeles
In 2013, Harvey Weinstein allegedly raped one woman and sexually assaulted another in Los Angeles, leading to charges filed against him on January 6, 2020.
2013: Alleged Sexual Misconduct
In 2013, some of the alleged acts of rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual battery Harvey Weinstein was charged with in Los Angeles allegedly took place, leading to a trial that commenced in October 2022.
October 8, 2017: Fired From TWC
On October 8, 2017, Harvey Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Company (TWC) after sexual abuse charges were released to the press.
October 10, 2017: Georgina Chapman Announces Separation
On October 10, 2017, Harvey Weinstein's wife, Georgina Chapman, announced that she was leaving him.
October 2017: Sexual Abuse Allegations and Dismissal
In October 2017, Harvey Weinstein faced numerous sexual abuse allegations dating back to the late 1970s, leading to his dismissal from his company and expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
October 2017: Sexual Harassment Allegations
In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker reported that more than a dozen women accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, assaulting, or raping them.
November 2017: Black Cube Hired to Stop Abuse Allegations
In November 2017, Ronan Farrow reported that Harvey Weinstein hired Black Cube, a private intelligence firm, to suppress abuse allegations. Investigators tracked journalists and actresses, including Rose McGowan, using false identities, targeting dozens of individuals and compiling psychological profiles.
2017: Revocation of Honorary Doctorate and Legion of Honour
In late 2017, The University at Buffalo revoked Harvey Weinstein's honorary doctorate and French President Emmanuel Macron revoked his Legion of Honour.
May 2018: Arrested and Charged with Rape
In May 2018, Harvey Weinstein was arrested and charged with rape in New York.
May 25, 2018: Weinstein Charged and Arrested in New York
On May 25, 2018, the New York County District Attorney's Office charged Harvey Weinstein with multiple sex crimes. He was arrested the same day, posted US$1 million bail, surrendered his passport, and was required to wear an ankle monitor.
July 16, 2018: The Weinstein Company Shut Down
On July 16, 2018, after filing for bankruptcy, The Weinstein Company was shut down.
2019: Release of Documentary "Untouchable"
In 2019, the documentary "Untouchable," featuring interviews with several of Harvey Weinstein's accusers, was released.
January 6, 2020: Weinstein Charged in Los Angeles
On January 6, 2020, Harvey Weinstein was charged in Los Angeles with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in 2013.
February 2020: Found Guilty of Felony Counts
In February 2020, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of two of five felony counts in New York and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
February 24, 2020: Weinstein Convicted in New York
On February 24, 2020, Harvey Weinstein was convicted on two counts: criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree, after a five-day deliberation. He was remanded to jail at Rikers Island.
June 2021: Weinstein Transferred to Mohawk Correctional Facility
By June 2021, Harvey Weinstein had been transferred to the Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, New York.
July 20, 2021: Extradited to Los Angeles
On July 20, 2021, Harvey Weinstein was extradited to Los Angeles to face further charges.
June 2, 2022: New York Court Upholds Weinstein's Conviction
On June 2, 2022, the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, upheld the verdicts and judgment in Harvey Weinstein's appeal.
June 8, 2022: Weinstein Formally Charged in London
On June 8, 2022, Harvey Weinstein was formally charged by the Metropolitan Police with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London between July 31 and August 31, 1996.
August 25, 2022: Weinstein Granted Further Appeal
On August 25, 2022, Harvey Weinstein was granted a further appeal before the New York Court of Appeals.
October 2022: Weinstein's Trial Commenced in Los Angeles
In October 2022, the trial of Harvey Weinstein commenced in Los Angeles, where he was charged with 11 counts of rape, forcible oral copulation, and sexual battery stemming from alleged acts between 2004 and 2013.
December 19, 2022: Found Guilty in Los Angeles Trial
On December 19, 2022, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of three of seven charges in his Los Angeles trial.
February 23, 2023: Weinstein Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison in Los Angeles
On February 23, 2023, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his convictions in Los Angeles. The sentence is to be served consecutively to his New York sentence.
April 11, 2023: Weinstein Extradited Back to New York
On April 11, 2023, Harvey Weinstein was extradited from California back to the Mohawk Correctional Facility in upstate New York.
April 2023: Extradited Back to New York
In April 2023, Harvey Weinstein was extradited from California back to New York.
April 2024: Weinstein's New York Convictions Overturned and Transferred to Rikers Island
In April 2024, Harvey Weinstein's New York convictions were overturned, and plans were made for a retrial in New York City. Subsequently, Weinstein was transferred back to Riker's Island prison.
April 25, 2024: New York Convictions Overturned
On April 25, 2024, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Harvey Weinstein's New York rape convictions, ordering a retrial.
July 9, 2024: New Investigation for Sexual Assault Claims
On July 9, 2024, New York prosecutors announced an investigation into additional sexual assault claims against Harvey Weinstein, including those within the state's statute of limitations.
July 19, 2024: Retrial Ruled for NY Sex Abuse Charges
On July 19, 2024, it was ruled that Harvey Weinstein would be retried for the New York sex abuse charges.
September 12, 2024: Weinstein Indicted on New Charges
On September 12, 2024, a New York grand jury indicted Harvey Weinstein on new charges, which remain unknown as the indictment is sealed.
September 2024: Transferred Back to Rikers Island Jail
After the 2024 New York Court of Appeals decision, Weinstein was transferred back to New York's Rikers Island jail, with plans being made for a retrial to take place in New York in September 2024.
September 2024: Possible Retrial Start Date
In September 2024, plans were made to have Harvey Weinstein's retrial commence, though this was later changed to November 12, 2024.
September 18, 2024: Weinstein Arraigned on New Indictment
On September 18, 2024, Harvey Weinstein was arraigned in New York on the new indictment and pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree.
October 23, 2024: Trial Postponed
On October 23, 2024, trial was further postponed; the judge set a pretrial hearing for January 29, 2025.
November 12, 2024: Retrial Tentatively Set for November 12
On November 12, 2024, a retrial date was tentatively set for the New York sex abuse charges.
January 29, 2025: Retrial Date
On January 29, 2025, State Judge Curtis Farber announced Jan 29th 2025 that the accused will face retrial in New York on rape charges on April 15, 2025.
April 15, 2025: New York Rape Retrial Date
On April 15, 2025, Weinstein’s retrial will include a new allegation involving a woman who wasn’t in the original case. The woman alleges he forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
