HARVEY Weinstein put his head in his hands as a judge ruled that he can be transferred to Los Angeles to face more sex assault charges.
The infamous producer will be sent to the West Coast within the first two weeks of July, an Erie County court judge ruled on Tuesday.
Judge Kenneth Case rejected arguments by Weinstein's lawyer that the paperwork to move Weinstein was not in order, and that Weinstein should stay in New York to get appropriate medical care.
The disgraced star's lawyer previously argued that he is "nearly blind" and could not be flown to LA.
During a virtual extradition hearing in April, Weinstein and his lawyer could be heard lightly chatting about air fryers before the defense claimed the disgraced movie producer was too ill to leave New York.
Norman Effman, Weinstein's public defender, asked that his client be arraigned on the new charges virtually from New York.
Effman told a judge that Weinstein, 69, is "almost technically blind at this point," and suffers from cardiac and back problems, as well as diabetes.
"We're not trying to avoid what is going to happen in California," Effman said.
"We believe there is not only a defense to these charges, but a very good defense to these charges," which would result in acquittal.
However, those claims were thrown out by the judge today and the request to stay in the Big Apple was denied.
Reacting to the news, Weinstein leant back in his chair and threw his head back, before buying his head in his hands.
He was wearing a long-sleeved red shirt and a white coronavirus face mask, with his walker to his right.
Weinstein is serving a 23-year prison term following his February 2020 conviction in Manhattan for sexually assaulting a production assistant in 2006, and third-degree rape of an aspiring actress in 2013.
A jury found him guilty of raping an aspiring actress in a New York City hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulting a production assistant at his apartment in 2006.
He is appealing his conviction and sentence, and has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
But Los Angeles prosecutors wanted to bring him to California to be tried on charges of assaulting five women in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013.
Now that he is being transferred, the formerly famed Hollywood icon will face a huge 11-count indictment.
The charges include forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual battery by restraint, and sexual penetration by use of force.
If convicted, Weinstein could spend the rest of his life in prison. His lawyers have said they would expect an acquittal.
Weinstein's conviction was seen as a watershed moment in the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment by men, including many with powerful jobs and influence.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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