Harvey Weinstein hires lawyers of Luigi Mangione, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for upcoming trial

Harvey Weinstein has made a significant change to his legal team as he prepares for his third New York rape trial. The former movie mogul has enlisted the help of lawyers Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo, and Teny Geragos, who have previously represented high-profile clients such as Luigi Mangione and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The decision to bring in new legal representation comes after Weinstein declined to end the case with a guilty plea. Kaplan, Agnifilo, and Geragos will take over from Weinstein’s longtime lawyer, Arthur Aidala, who will now focus on the ex-studio boss’ appeals and pending civil matters.

Kaplan, who was part of Weinstein’s original defense team in 2018, is expected to play a key role in the upcoming trial. The third trial revolves around a charge that Weinstein raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.

Weinstein, who has vehemently denied the allegations against him, expressed his frustration during a hearing in January, stating that his “spirit was breaking” after nearly six years behind bars. The trial, originally scheduled to start on March 3, has been postponed and a new date has yet to be set. Weinstein is due in court on March 4 for a status conference.

Kaplan and Agnifilo have successfully represented Mangione in his state and federal cases involving the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They were able to have terrorism charges dismissed in the state case and prevent the death penalty in the federal case.

Agnifilo and Geragos, on the other hand, have a track record of defending high-profile clients such as Combs. They achieved a split verdict and acquittals on sex trafficking and racketeering charges for the music mogul. Currently, they are part of the defense team for the Alexander brothers in their sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court.

The trio of lawyers, all partners at the Manhattan firm Agnifilo Intrater, are confident in their ability to provide a strong defense for Weinstein. Weinstein spokesperson Juda Engelmayer stated that Weinstein believes a “recalibrated outlook and strategic approach” will be the most effective path forward.

In the previous trial, Weinstein was convicted of forcing oral sex on one woman, Miriam Haley, acquitted of similar charges involving another woman, Kaja Sokola, and the jury did not reach a decision on the rape charge involving Mann. The retrial ended abruptly when the foreperson refused to continue deliberations.

Despite the legal challenges, Weinstein and his legal team remain determined to fight for his innocence. Aidala, who represented Weinstein in the original trial and retrial, expressed confidence in their ongoing efforts in the appellate courts.

The upcoming trial, which could last up to five weeks, poses a significant challenge for Weinstein and his new legal team. Prosecutors have indicated that even without additional accusers, the trial could be lengthy and complex.

Weinstein faces a maximum sentence of 25 years for the charge he was convicted on, and the unresolved rape charge involving Mann carries a potential sentence of up to four years. The producer has been in prison since his initial conviction in 2020 and is also appealing a separate case in California.

As the legal battle continues, Weinstein remains steadfast in his assertion of innocence, while his new legal team prepares to mount a vigorous defense in the upcoming trial.