The Patriot Post® · Justice for #MeToo: Weinstein Found Guilty of Rape

The guy whose deplorable behavior served to ignite the #MeToo movement was officially declared a rapist on Monday. A New York jury found the former Hollywood mogul and Democrat mega donor Harvey Weinstein guilty on two out of five counts of criminal sexual assault.

Weinstein, however, escaped the most serious charges of predatory sexual assault and first-degree rape, which carried life sentences. Still, due to his age (67) and declining health (he stopped by the hospital on the way to jail) he could very well spend the remainder of his life behind bars anyway. Following the verdict, Judge James Burke ordered Weinstein straight to jail to await his sentencing on March 11 — a sentencing that will be between five and 29 years in prison.

The verdict falls far short of paying for the mountain of sexual abuse Weinstein inflicted upon vulnerable women over his time in Hollywood as a powerful producer — while other Hollywood celebrities turned a blind eye. But he’s not done answering for his crimes, as he also faces separate charges of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. was pleased with the verdict, stating, “This is the new landscape for the survivors of sexual assault in America, I believe, and this is a new day. It’s a new day because Harvey Weinstein has finally been held accountable for the crimes he committed. The women who came forward courageously and at great risk made that happen.”

Weinstein expressed no remorse following the trial and will appeal the verdict as he continues to maintain his innocence. Defense attorney Donna Rotunna insisted, “Harvey is unbelievably strong. He took it like a man,” while another of his lawyers, Arthur Aidala, noted Weinstein’s remarks upon hearing the verdict: “I’m innocent. I’m innocent. I’m innocent. How could this happen in America?” No, Mr. Weinstein, you are not innocent, and what you did should not happen in America.