Harvey Weinstein makes his final plea at sentencing: 'It's a setup'

Harvey Weinstein made a final plea in court on Thursday, just before a judge sentencing him to 16 years in prison.

"I maintain that I am innocent," he said. “I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1. I never knew this woman, and the fact is she doesn't know me. It's all about the money and suing me."

Weinstein did not rise to address the court, noting that he suffered from a disease of the spine. From his chair, he took aim at a "cottage industry of lawyers" who "put victims on the helm" and then pursue civil suits.

"I didn't rape that woman. I didn't see that woman. She s 'is perjured," Weinstein said. "It's a made up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe 1 is an actress and can make tears flow.

Weinstein also stated that he intended no harm and that he was "here to bring joy". He said he spent many years bringing happiness to people.

"Please don't sentence me to life in prison", a-t -he says. " I do not deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case. There is no proof."

Weinstein also noted that a few jurors showed up at sentencing, which according to him, “says a lot.” The defense had argued that the jurors would not have voted for the conviction if they had been told all the facts.

"There are too many flaws," he said. “Too many things are wrong with this case. It's not true... I wasn't there. This is a setup. This is not the way to act in this situation. I beg your mercy."

Weinstein was found guilty of three counts of rape and sexual assault by a Los Angeles jury in December. He is already serving a 23-year sentence, having been convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020 in New York. He also maintained his innocence in the case, which is on appeal to the state's highest court.

Prosecutors argued Weinstein was a predator who used his power to lure and attack women in hotel rooms under the guise of a business meeting or hearing. His defense argued that the women willingly engaged in “transactional sex” because Weinstein was influential in the entertainment industry. Each of Weinstein's legal teams have said he unfairly became the face of the #MeToo movement after his fall in 2017.

Weinstein's L.A. attorneys, Mark Werksman and Alan Jackson, had requested a new trial, arguing that information had been withheld from the jury that would have called into question the credibility of Jane Doe #1. The judge denied that request Thursday morning, before Weinstein made his final plea.

Jurors returned a split verdict after deliberating for 10 days in December. They acquitted him of one charge and deadlocked on three others, although they voted to convict on each of those three counts.

After being sentenced in L.A., a spokesperson for Weinstein said he was "disappointed" with the verdict, but pledged to "prove his innocence", hinting at an appeal in the future.

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