According to reports, Harvey Weinstein has reportedly asked a federal judge in New York to hold off on proceeding with a civil suit. Weinstein’s lawyer Imran Ansari said that it would be impossible for Weinstein to participate in deposition due to having poor health.
In the motion, Ansari said, “Mr. Weinstein’s health has had a dramatic decline this week, as heavily reported in the media. These health concerns make it practically impossible to conduct his deposition and impedes his fundamental right to participate in his defense.” The civil suit was filed by a former employee of Weinstein Co.—Alexandra Canosa, who alleges that Weinstein repeatedly raped and assaulted her, using the removal of her career as a threat.
Ansari continued on, saying, “In the absence of a stay, Mr. Weinstein’s constitutional rights to defend himself against the criminal allegations are unreasonably and unfairly burdened. Mr. Weinstein would be forced to make ‘the difficult choice between being prejudiced in civil litigation, ‘if he asserts his Fifth Amendment privilege,’ or from being prejudiced in the criminal litigation if he waives that privilege in the civil litigation.” Currently, Weinstein is facing 11 felony charges in Los Angeles.
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