R. Kelly wasn’t the only one sentenced on Thursday. Disgraced film executive Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape and sex crimes.
According to Deadline, the currently incarcerated exec was on hand at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center courtroom in Los Angeles as the ruling tacked on more years to the 23 years he was already serving for a March 2020 case of more rape and sex crimes. The sentences will run consecutively.
During the court proceedings, Weinstein spoke, maintaining his innocence.
“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.”
He added, “Please don’t sentence me to life in prison. I don’t deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case.”
Jane Doe submitted a statement to the courts:
“Ten years later, the effects of this rape are still raw and difficult to discuss. Your honor I hope you can understand my suffering. There is no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage. I hope that you give him the maximum sentence allowable.”
