11 March 2020
Former Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Wednesday to 23 years in prison for sex crimes.
Last month, a New York jury found him guilty of raping an actress in a hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulting a former production assistant at his home in 2006.
The 67-year-old Weinstein has been accused of sexual wrongdoing by more than 90 women, including Hollywood actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman.
Weinstein has said that any sexual activity was consensual, or agreed to by both people involved.
"Although this is a first conviction, this is not a first offense," Judge James Burke said before announcing the prison sentence. Weinstein faced up to 29 years in prison.
Before the sentencing was announced, Weinstein told the court he felt "remorse for the situation." But he also added that men are being accused of "things that none of us understood."
"I'm totally confused," Weinstein said. "I think men are confused about these issues."
Weinstein added that he remembered having "wonderful times" with his accusers.
His lawyers have promised to appeal the court's guilty finding.
Weinstein was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. He and his company produced Oscar-winning films such as "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction.
Accusations against him became public in October 2017. That month, stories published in The New York Times and The New Yorker magazine described Weinstein's mistreatment of women.
The stories helped give rise to the #metoo movement on social media, in which women and some men told their stories of sexual assault and harassment.
Weinstein's lawyers had sought a five-year sentence, the least severe punishment for his crimes, because of his age and poor health. Government lawyers had asked for a long sentence that would take into account the many accusations against Weinstein.
Weinstein is also facing charges of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles, California. He faces up to 28 years in prison for those crimes. Police in California are also investigating three additional sexual assault cases that involve Weinstein.
I'm Ashley Thompson.
The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
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Words in This Story
assault – n. the crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically
conviction – n. the act of proving that a person is guilty of a crime in a court of law
remorse – n. a feeling of guilt
confused - adj. unable to understand or think clearly
sexual harassment – n. behavior such as making unwelcome sexual remarks or physical advances in a workplace or other professional or social settings