Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Harvey Weinstein Appeals Sex Trafficking Ruling

A judge who ruled that an aspiring actress can use sex-trafficking laws to sue Harvey Weinstein will hear attorneys argue whether his decision can be appealed before trial.

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge who ruled that an aspiring actress can use sex-trafficking laws to sue Harvey Weinstein will hear attorneys argue whether his decision can be appealed before trial.

Harvey Weinstein arrives at New York Supreme Court, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in New York. Judge James Burke will decide on the future of his sexual assault case, which has been clouded by allegations that police acted improperly in the investigation that led to his arrest.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday.

He'll rule later whether his August decision can be taken immediately to the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Sweet concluded that the proverbial casting couch, in which women are asked to trade sex for Hollywood opportunities, could be considered a "commercial sex act."

Weinstein's lawyers say nothing of value was exchanged between an actress and Weinstein in 2014 when they watched her demo reel in a Cannes, France, hotel room. The actress said Weinstein later molested her.

Weinstein denies wrongdoing.

Categories / Appeals, Criminal, Entertainment

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...