US prosecutors consider Weinstein charges after sexual misconduct allegations

Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein may face sexual harassment and assault charges after police in Beverly Hills handed over two investigations.

Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein may face sexual harassment and assault charges after police in Beverly Hills handed over two investigations.

Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein may face sexual harassment and assault charges after police in Beverly Hills handed over two investigations. Source: AAP

US prosecutors are considering bringing charges against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein after police in Beverly Hills handed over two investigations.

They are believed to be the first cases considered by prosecutors since dozens of women came forward to accuse the producer of sexual harassment and assault.

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced the development on Tuesday, but did not discuss details of the allegations.

"Two cases have been presented to our office by the Beverly Hills Police Department regarding Mr Weinstein and are under review," spokesman Greg Risling said.

Beverly Hills police spokeswoman Lieutenant Elisabeth Albanese confirmed the development, but said there would be no further comment until prosecutors decide whether to press charges.

Beverly Hills police previously said it had received "multiple complaints" against Weinstein, 65.

Numerous public claims about Weinstein's behaviour in Beverly Hills hotels have been aired, including by actress Dominique Huett who is suing him over an allegation of sexual assault.

She alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her at the Peninsula hotel in November 2010.

A second actress, who was not named in court documents, accused Weinstein of raping her in the Montage hotel in 2016 after he discussed giving her a role in a TV series.

Weinstein's downfall began with a New York Times investigation in which actress Ashley Judd accused him of sexually harassing her in the Peninsula in 1997 during what she expected to be a business meeting.

Police in London, New York and the city of Los Angeles are also investigating Weinstein.

He has denied any allegations of non-consensual sex and a source close to him suggested prosecutors will dismiss the latest cases due to California's since-scrapped statute of limitations.


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