The infamous Hollywood Harvey—not Specter but Weinstein has pleaded not guilty in his rape retrial of 2020.

Such retrial arises where the Appeals court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s New York conviction, ruling that the trial judge had erred by allowing testimony from multiple women about alleged sexual misconduct that was not part of the formal charges. This procedural lapse led to the nullification of Weinstein’s 23-year sentence. Following the decision, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed that his office intends to retry the case.

The Hollywood Mogul faces a retrial over allegations that he sexually assaulted former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. In addition, prosecutors have added a new charge, accusing him of sexually abusing 19-year-old aspiring model Kaja Sokola at a Manhattan hotel that same year.

At the outset, the attorney delivered the opening statements where the Prosecution before the jury firmly contended that the producer having immense power in the showbiz(Hollywood) has sexually harass and abuse three women making them “feel small”. Recounting the 2006 incident to the jury, prosecutor Lucey said that Weinstein, who was “three times her size,” allegedly trapped Haleyi in an apartment, subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping, and then coerced her into oral sex, despite her repeated protests.

Per Contrary, Attorney Arthur Aidala, defending Harvey Weinstein, told the jury that the prosecution's case would “fall flat on its face” once they had heard the full scope of the evidence. Emphasizing inconsistencies, he added, “They’re going to ask you to make sense of things that just don’t make sense.” Aidala’s remarks reflect a core defense strategy—casting doubt on the coherence and credibility of the prosecution's narrative by questioning the reliability and motives.

Not restricting him to the courtroom the defense attorney also while a QnA also stated his client had relationships with the accusers that were "mutually beneficial," further it was also stated that “ We don't believe they're victims at all. And I think the evidence is gonna show that they're not victims, that in fact, they were willing participants in a mutually beneficial relationship where Mr. Weinstein would help them with certain things in their lives, and in return, they would spend quality time with him in a romantic way.”

More than 80 women including prominent Hollywood figures like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct. Weinstein has consistently denied the allegations, insisting all encounters were consensual. He is already serving a 16-year sentence in California for a separate rape conviction involving a European actor. Now, more than seven years after the allegations against him helped ignite the global #MeToo movement as Weinstein faces a retrial in New York.