Weinstein preyed on aspiring US actress, court told in rape retrial

The Hollywood mogul took advantage of Jessica Mann by enticing her with a film role she had no chance of getting, prosecutors say

Prosecutors in the rape retrial of disgraced US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein told Tuesday how he wielded his power to prey on then-aspiring actress Jessica Mann.

Weinstein, a central figure of abuse allegations that spurred the #MeToo movement, appeared at the New York courtroom in a wheelchair due to ill health.

He is being retried on a count of third-degree rape against Mann that allegedly happened in 2013 in a Manhattan hotel room.

Last June, a judge declared a mistrial on the charge after the jury foreman refused to return to deliberate the case amid a jury-room feud.

Weinstein, 74, is already imprisoned for other sex offences, so he will remain behind bars regardless of the retrial verdict.

“This case will come down to power, to control and manipulation,” Assistant District Attorney Candace White said.