AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting former Project Runway assistant Miriam Haley in 2006, The-sun reports. The conviction stems from a retrial after New York’s top court overturned his initial 2020 conviction due to trial errors.

Per The Guardian, Weinstein was found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual act for the assault that took place in his SoHo apartment. The judge described Weinstein as a sexual predator who exploited Haley’s career ambitions and took what he wanted by force, while Weinstein expressed regret but maintained he was not violent. The prosecution had pushed for a 20-year sentence, pointing to Weinstein’s lack of remorse and referencing other allegations and his Los Angeles case. Miriam Haley delivered a victim impact statement detailing the lasting trauma and public humiliation she endured after the assault.

Aljazeera adds that Weinstein’s legal troubles include a separate 16-year sentence in California for rape and sexual assault convictions upheld by an appeals court earlier this year. He has been incarcerated since 2018 and is currently serving time in a medical prison ward. His defense team sought leniency due to his medical conditions, including heart failure and blood cancer, but the judge rejected these arguments. The sentencing comes after multiple trials, including a split verdict for other charges and dropped cases following mistrials.

Harvey Weinstein is a former film producer once known for acclaimed projects like Shakespeare in Love, Pulp Fiction, and Chocolat. His downfall began after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in 2017, igniting the #MeToo movement that exposed widespread abuse in Hollywood. He was married to fashion designer Georgina Chapman and has faced intense public scrutiny since his arrest.

This sentencing marks another significant legal defeat for Weinstein, reinforcing accountability for powerful figures accused of sexual violence. It also highlights the ongoing judicial process across multiple jurisdictions as Weinstein continues to face consequences for his actions amid serious health challenges.

This article is based on reporting originally published by The-sun.