Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Tuesday that a woman who has accused his client of rape “had a 10-year consensual sexual relationship” with his client.
“This is an extraordinary case in my judgement where the only rape victim that Mr. Weinstein is accused of raping is someone with whom he has had a 10-year consensual sexual relationship — both before and after the alleged incident,” the disgraced movie mogul’s defense attorney Ben Brafman told reporters, according to NBC News. (RELATED: Rose McGowan, Other Celebs React To Harvey Weinstein Arrest [VIDEO])
“One of my concerns is…some of the publicity that has occurred over the weekend and the ability for people to keep an open mind,” he added following a closed-door meeting with the Manhattan assistant district attorney about concerns the publicity could hurt the legal process.
“I also think that pressure that is being brought to bear on the District Attorney’s Office — demanding that an indictment or a prosecution of Mr. Weinstein proceed — is inappropriate pressure, it is unprecedented and it troubles me, and I wanted to make those matters known to the court,” he added.
Last Friday, Weinstein was arrested and charged with rape, a criminal sex act, sex abuse, and sexual misconduct by New York authorities. He was later released on $1 million dollars bail, but must wear an ankle bracelet and remain only in New York or Connecticut.
He has faced accusations from more than 80 women including such stars as Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow Rose McGowan and many more following the shocking exposés last October in The New York Times and The New Yorker.