NEW YORK — Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting television production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006, bringing another chapter in the former Hollywood producer’s yearslong legal battle to a close.

The sentence followed a retrial in New York that ultimately focused on Haley, who testified that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her at his Manhattan apartment. Haley had briefly worked on the Weinstein-produced reality television series “Project Runway.”

Weinstein, 74, asked the court for mercy, citing his age and health problems, including cancer and congestive heart failure. He apologized to people affected by his actions and said he regretted what happened to Haley, while continuing to maintain that he was innocent. His lawyers said they intend to appeal.

Once one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers, Weinstein helped produce successful films including “Shakespeare in Love,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Chocolat.” His career collapsed after numerous women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017, helping fuel the global #MeToo movement.

Judge Curtis Farber said Weinstein had used his influence in Hollywood to take advantage of women seeking opportunities in the entertainment industry. The judge also said Weinstein’s refusal to accept responsibility and his portrayal of himself as a victim in jailhouse interviews were factors in determining the sentence.

Weinstein had faced a maximum sentence of 25 years for the New York conviction.

Haley, 49, became emotional while addressing the court. She said the assault had profoundly affected her life and sense of security and that deciding to speak publicly about what happened had left her concerned about the consequences for years to come.

“Having been sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein has had a devastating effect on my life and sense of security that may never go away,” Haley said.

She also said Weinstein had hired private investigators to monitor her and that his defense attorneys and supporters had ridiculed her publicly.

“It’s a life sentence for me,” she said.

Weinstein later addressed the court, apologizing while again insisting that he had not raped or sexually assaulted anyone. He said reflecting on events since 2017 had helped him recognize that his past conduct had negatively affected others.

“I live with many regrets and sincerely apologize to anyone I have affected with my actions,” Weinstein said. He added that he felt remorse for Haley and asked the judge for mercy.

Haley later said she was satisfied with the sentence but believed Weinstein’s remarks showed that he still did not accept responsibility for what happened.

Several other women who had accused Weinstein attended the sentencing. Among them was Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress whose allegations resulted in a previous rape conviction that was later overturned, followed by two juries that failed to reach a verdict on the charge.

Weinstein has been imprisoned since his original conviction and has already served more than six years. His New York sentence could overlap with a separate sentence in California, where he was originally sentenced to 16 years for a 2013 rape conviction.

Judge Farber said the decision on whether the New York and California sentences will run concurrently will ultimately be made in California. Farber said that, if he had the authority, he would have ordered the New York sentence to run consecutively.

Weinstein’s original New York conviction resulted in a 23-year sentence in 2020, including 20 years for the assault of Haley and three years for the rape of Mann. New York’s highest court overturned those convictions in 2024, finding that Weinstein’s trial had been prejudiced by testimony concerning allegations that were not part of the charges.

He was tried again last year and was convicted of a first-degree criminal sex act involving Haley. The jury acquitted him of charges involving Kaja Sokola and could not reach a verdict on the rape allegation involving Mann.

A subsequent retrial of the rape charge ended with another hung jury in May. Manhattan prosecutors later dropped the charge rather than pursue another trial after Mann said she could not endure testifying again.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg attended Wednesday’s sentencing with Weinstein’s accusers and said the proceeding was about the survivors and their willingness to come forward.

Haley’s attorney, Gloria Allred, also rejected the idea that the sentencing marked the end of the #MeToo movement, saying women had gained greater power to speak out against sexual misconduct.

Weinstein was taken from the courtroom in a wheelchair shortly after the sentence was imposed. His legal team is expected to challenge the conviction and sentence on appeal.

SOURCE: The Associated Press (AP), Michael R. Sisak and John Seewer, September 24, 2026.