By Alexander Wilson-
Harvey Weinstein’s extradition from New York to California to face rape and sexual assault charges faces further delays over paperwork issues, his lawyer has said.
Norman Effman said a hearing has been scheduled for June 15 on a newly filed challenge.
Weinstein had appeared via video from prison before Erie county court Judge Kenneth Case in December 2020 when the sitting judge agreed to postpone Weinstein’s extradition hearing until April 2021.He then appeared again in Erie County Court, virtually, on April 30. At the request of prosecutors, Judge Kenneth Case started a 30-day clock on Weinstein’s transfer that could be stopped only by a challenge from Weinstein or an objection from the governor.
Weinstein had been scheduled to be transferred as early as next week from Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo, where the Hollywood producer has been locked up since last spring following his conviction in New York City for a criminal sex act and third-degree rape.
Los Angeles prosecutors want to take him to California to be tried on charges of assaulting five women in LA and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013.
Weinstein, 68, is serving a 23-year prison sentence after being convicted in New York City earlier this year on charges of rape and sexual assault against two women.
Weinstein maintains his innocence and contends that any sexual activity was consensual.
“This is a challenge to California’s request for temporary custody, based on our allegation that the paperwork filed by Los Angeles County does not comply with the mandates of the interstate agreement on detainers,” Mr Effman said by phone.
Mr Effman said at the time he would file an objection.
An earlier request for a “humanitarian” delay of Weinstein’s already pandemic-delayed extradition to attend to his multiple medical issues was denied.
A jury found Weinstein 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 against the 2020 conviction.