Harvey Weinstein Accused Of Ankle Monitor Misuse By Prosecutors

NEW YORK CITY — Harvey Weinstein violated bail conditions by fiddling with his ankle monitor and going off the grid for several hours, New York prosecutors argued Friday.

The Hollywood producer — accused of raping one woman and forcing a sex act on another —hobbled into Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday morning to address prosecutor Joan Illuzzi's claim he manipulated monitoring technology that makes his ankle monitor work.

Defense attorney Donna Rotunno acknowledged the gaps but said Weinstein reported them immediately and that technical glitches were to blame.

"It was a short period of time, and really what they are technical violations," Rotunno told reporters outside the courthouse. "There's never been an attempt in any way for him not to be compliant."

A judge is expected to rule next week whether Weinstein, 67, will be penalized.

The Oscar-winning producer appeared in court to evaluate his $1 million bail before New York State reforms go into effect Jan. 1, prosecutors said.

Cash bail will be eliminated for nonviolent crimes, which means some defendants could be released from jail or receive refunds in 2020, but the reforms are unlikely to affect Weinstein's trial in January.

Weinstein needed help supporting himself as he walked out of the courthouse because of problems with his back, Rotunno said.

"In terms of his health, you see, this is tough," Rotunno said. "Dealing with the scrutiny not only in the courtroom but in the court of public opinion, and this has been hard on him."

Weinstein — who pleaded not guilty to charges that he raped one woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forced a sex act on another in 2006 — could face life in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

The disgraced producer has been out on bail since his arrest in 2018. His recent appearance at a Lower East Side nightclub spurred jeers from one comedian, who called him the "elephant in the room" and said, "I didn't know that we had to bring our own Mace and rape whistles to Actors Hour."

Weinstein is slated to appear for his continued bail hearing 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Manhattan Criminal Court, prosecutors said.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.