Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison on N.Y. rape, criminal sex act charges

NEW YORK (WPIX) -- Convicted movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Wednesday to 23 years on rape and criminal sex act charges, officials said.

Officials had said Weinstein faced a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 25 years in prison on the first-degree criminal sex act count, and a maximum penalty of four years in prison for third-degree rape.

He was found not guilty of three other charges, including two counts of predatory sexual assault, which carried a potential life sentence.

Prosecutors said he deserved a harsh sentence for having “trapped women into his exclusive control” so he could sexually assault them, but lawyers for Weinstein said he only deserved five years in prison after already suffering a “historic” fall from grace and serious health issues.

In a personal statement, Weinstein expressed remorse, saying he thought he had “great friendships” with Miriam Haley, who he sexually assaulted in 2006, and Jessica Mann, who he raped in 2013.

Weinstein had been moved to a Rikers cell last Thursday after being hospitalized immediately after his Feb. 24 conviction.