Harvey Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assaults In L.A., Rolls Into Court In Wheelchair Despite Seemingly Walking Hours Prior
Harvey Weinstein has pled not guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault, including rape, in his first Los Angeles court appearance.
The 69-year-old disgraced movie mogul sat before a judge on Wednesday looking frail in a wheelchair.
Just hours prior, Weinstein was photographed walking down a flight of stairs while exiting a private jet when he arrived in Southern California.
As RadarOnline.com reported, the ex-Hollywood producer wasn't in handcuffs, despite being behind bars in New York for the past year.
Weinstein hunched over while using his feet to guide him off the private plane on Tuesday.
He struggled, but with the help of a plain-clothed guard -- who was gripping a belt strapped to Weinstein's waist to hold him up -- the convicted sex offender successfully landed at the airport in Burbank, CA.
Wednesday's court appearance proved to be the opposite treatment for Weinstein.
Seen in his wheelchair with his arms shackled, Weinstein sat before Judge Sergio Tapia, who reportedly told him "good luck."
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As for his L.A. case, Weinstein has been accused of attacking five women from 2004 to 2013.
If convicted, he could face up to 140 years in prison.
He had already been serving time on the East Coast after being sentenced to 23 years. He was convicted of sexually assaulting a production assistant in 2006 and third-degree rape of an up-and-coming actress in 2013.
The ex-movie mogul has denied ever having nonconsensual sex with anyone.
Weinstein's lawyers desperately tried to fight his extradition to California, claiming he needed to stay in New York to get proper medical care.
His legal team alleged he couldn't travel to the Golden State because his teeth were falling out and he was going blind.
L.A. District attorney George Gascón spoke out following Weinstein's not guilty plea, saying, “Anyone who abuses their power and influence to prey upon others will be brought to justice."
Weinstein is set to return to court on July 29.
