16-year-old accuses Weinstein of misconduct
Title: A Former Model Recounts Her Alleged Ordeal with Harvey Weinstein at 16
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In a New York courtroom, Kaja Sokola, a former Polish model, bravely testified against the infamous film producer, Harvey Weinstein. This is the first time in the reopened trial that a woman is speaking up against Weinstein. The former model tearfully recalled a chilling encounter back in 2002 when she was just 16 years old.
Sokola recounted the distressing circumstances of an alleged sexual assault that took place in a Manhattan apartment. "I felt stupid, I was ashamed," she admitted, with tears streaming down her face. "I was scared, I had never been in an intimate situation before."
Weinstein, 73, was previously convicted in 2020 for sexual assault and rape of former production assistant Miriam Haley and another woman, receiving a 23-year prison sentence. However, the highest New York court overturned this verdict due to procedural errors, leading to a January 2023 retrial. As this trial progresses, Sokola's complaint is shining a spotlight. She also accuses Weinstein of forced oral sex.
Although Weinstein was charged with assaulting Sokola in 2006 when she was 19 years old, the statute of limitations prevents him from being tried for the alleged acts committed when she was 16. Nevertheless, Sokola courageously detailed the incident in court. Her first encounter with Weinstein took place in 2002 at a dinner with other models at a Manhattan restaurant, during her first solo trip to New York.
The 2006 Encounter
Sokola described herself as "feeling very special" when the considerably older film producer approached her. Weinstein then invited her to lunch and eventually escorted her to a Manhattan apartment. There, he allegedly ordered her to disrobe, stating she had to do so if she wanted a career in acting. Despite her objections, Weinstein persisted in performing sexual acts on her.
When questioned by the prosecutor about why she waited to report the incidents, Sokola explained that she felt "ashamed" and thought "it was all my fault." She then spoke of a second incident that occurred in 2006, when Weinstein lured her into a Manhattan hotel room and demanded sex. Her testimony is set to continue later in the day.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
- Harvey Weinstein
- Allegations
- Justice
- Courage
- Assault
- USA
- Kaja Sokola, a former model, bravely testified against Harvey Weinstein in a New York courtroom, sharing her alleged ordeal at the hands of the infamous film producer when she was only 16.
- Weinstein's retrial, which is focusing on more allegations, has been shining a spotlight on Sokola's complaint.
- Despite the statute of limitations preventing Weinstein from being tried for the alleged acts committed when Sokola was 16, she courageously detailed the incident in court.
- Sokola's testimony, which involves accusations of forced oral sex and other assault, is set to continue later in the day.
- The entertainment industry and general news have been abuzz with the links between Weinstein's past crimes and the experiences of many celebrities and other women in the industry, shedding light on crime and justice issues.
