In a hearing before the Manhattan judge overseeing disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s retrial, prosecutors said they were investigating additional claims made against the defendant and may seek additional indictments before the new trial begins in the fall.
Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg told Judge Curtis Farber in a May 29 hearing taking place in the same courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial was held that others have come forward claiming that Weinstein assaulted them and prosecutors were assessing which of the claims fall within the statute of limitations.
Blumberg also said that some of the accusers who were not willing to testify in Weinstein’s original trial may testify at his retrial.
Blumberg told Judge Farber that the prosecution would update the court on the possible additional indictments by the end of June.
The judge scheduled the next hearing in the case for July 9. Weinstein’s retrial is expected to begin after Labor Day.
Speaking to reporters outside of the courthouse, defense attorney Arthur Aidala said Weinstein was confident that no other accusers would be found since “he’s never done anything like this.”
During the hearing, Judge Farber addressed a request from prosecutors that the judge remind the defense not to publicly discuss or criticize potential witnesses in the case.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office claimed that Arthur Aidala made comments last month intended to intimidate former production assistant Miriam Haley, whom Weinstein was initially convicted of assaulting.
Aidala apologized to Judge Farber and said he had not intended to intimidate anyone with his comments. He argued that his client was entitled to a “vigorous defense” and explained that it was the defense’s position that the same lies allegedly told in Weinstein’s original trial would not be repeated in the retrial.
He noted that attorneys representing the accusers repeatedly criticized Weinstein in press conferences throughout the ongoing legal battle and suggested that someone must “stand up” for Weinstein and “be his voice.”
Judge Farber ordered both the defense and prosecution to “refrain from pandering to the press.”
