Los Angeles DA escalates Weinstein review as they consider criminal charges: report

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is considering filing criminal charges against Harvey Weinstein as law enforcement officials ramp up the review into multiple accusations of sexual assault against the disgraced filmmaker, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Eight cases are under review by the district attorney’s office, including four from the Los Angeles Police Department and four from the Beverly Hills Police Department, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office confirmed to The Hill on Thursday. 

Sources told the Times that the district attorney’s sex crimes division has intensified its contact with at least two of Weinstein’s accusers and the office has broadened its review to include several other Weinstein accusers across the country.

The possible escalation of charges comes as Weinstein faces four criminal sex charges involving three women in New York.

California differs from New York law, in that it allows prosecutors to have multiple accusers who are not plaintiffs testify against Weinstein, the Times notes. 

People familiar with the investigation told the Times that the L.A. office could act in 2020 before Manhattan prosecutors complete their criminal trial of Weinstein.

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied all allegations.

Updated at 2:14 p.m.