NYC DA and Defense Discuss Possible Plea Deal as Judge Schedules New Rape Trial Date for Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, who continues to deny allegations of rape, may be nearing a resolution in his ongoing legal disputes with New York prosecutors.
At a hearing on Thursday, Weinstein’s attorney revealed that the former film mogul is interested in negotiating with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office in light of his upcoming trial. This comes after unsuccessful attempts to have his criminal conviction dismissed and ongoing complaints regarding conditions at Rikers Island.
Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s long-time defense lawyer, addressed Judge Curtis Faber during the hearing, stating, “Your honor, I did have the chance to speak with Mr. Weinstein, and I would like to pursue plea negotiations.” Aidala added that Weinstein desires additional time to contemplate this option. His remarks were made after a brief recess, as Aidala and a wheelchair-bound Weinstein waited outside the courtroom.
In response, Judge Faber granted Weinstein and his legal team a two-week period to confirm or decline the proposed plea discussions. A subsequent hearing is set for February 25 to address various motions related to the case, which is approaching trial.
During the hearing, Weinstein reiterated his position regarding numerous accusations of rape, sexual assault, and retaliation that surfaced following a 2017 exposé by the New York Times. “I know I was unfaithful, I know I acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone,” he stated, pleading, “Your Honor, I’m begging for a second chance,” while expressing disappointment with the day’s developments.
Weinstein, now 73 and experiencing health issues, has already spent nearly six years in prison. Judge Faber set a trial start date of March 3 for charges stemming from an alleged 2013 incident involving actress Jessica Mann. This trial represents Weinstein’s third rape case in New York City; he was previously convicted of sex crimes in Los Angeles in 2022.
In April 2024, a New York state appeals court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 sex crimes conviction, for which he was sentenced to 23 years in state prison. Despite the 2020 case being dismissed, Weinstein remains incarcerated due to his conviction in California as preparations for a new trial are underway.
The previous New York trial concluded in June 2025 with a mixed verdict. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, found Weinstein guilty of a first-degree criminal sexual act against Miriam Haley, but not guilty on similar charges involving Kaja Sokola. The jury could not reach a decision regarding a charge of third-degree rape concerning Mann, resulting in the current trial.
Judge Faber firmly dismissed Weinstein’s claims that there was juror misconduct related to the Haley charges, stating, “The Court’s response to the jurors’ complaints appropriately balanced the competing interests of investigating the allegations while avoiding any unnecessary taint of the deliberating jury,” as detailed in a 25-page order.
Further, Faber elaborated on the matter, suggesting that the accusations of juror bias were unfounded. He described the claims made by Juror 7 as “a childish and unsupported accusation,” stemming from the pressures of a tense first day of deliberation following a lengthy trial.
