Harvey Weinstein Makes Final Plea at Sentencing: ‘This Is a Setup’

variety.com:

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein made a final plea to the court on Thursday, just before a judge sentenced him to 16 years in prison. “I maintain that I’m innocent,” he said. “I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1.

I never knew this woman, and the fact is she doesn’t know me. This is about money and coming after me.” Weinstein did not stand up to address the court, noting that he has a spinal condition.

From his chair, he took aim at a “cottage industry of lawyers” who “put victims on the stand” and then file civil suits. “I did not rape this woman.

I did not see this woman. She perjured herself,” Weinstein said. “This is a made-up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe 1 is an actress and can turn on the tears.”  Weinstein also said that he does not intend to cause harm and is “here to bring joy.” He said he spent a lot of years bringing people happiness. “Please don’t sentence me to life in prison,” he said. “I don’t deserve it.