Harvey Weinstein Heads Back To Court To Request Change Of Counsel
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – Harvey Weinstein headed back to court Friday to request a change of counsel.
SEE IT: Harvey Weinstein Returns To Manhattan Court
The disgraced Hollywood mogul has hired attorney Jose Baez to replace his defense team in his criminal case involving sexual assault charges in New York City.
Benjamin Brafman no longer reps Harvey Weinstein. He's now represented by Jose Baez and Ronald Sullivan, attorneys who previously represented Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein's most vocal accusers. Baez addresses concerns regarding potential conflict of interest. @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/04QYJ50V03
— Aundrea Cline-Thomas (@AClineThomas) January 25, 2019
"I can confirm that I along with Harvard Law Professor Ronald S. Sullivan have been retained by Harvey Weinstein," Baez said Wednesday. "Mr. Weinstein steadfastly maintains his innocence in this matter and we are looking forward to assisting Mr. Weinstein in his defense."
MORE: Harvey Weinstein Hires Former Casey Anthony Lawyer To Lead Defense Team
Baez was the lead attorney for Casey Anthony when she was accused in the death of her daughter, Caylee Anthony, in 2008. Anthony was found not guilty on all murder, manslaughter and abuse charges, thought a jury found her guilty on obstruction charges.
Baez also represented Aaron Hernandez during the NFL football player's appeals against a 2012 murder conviction that was later overturned. Hernandez killed himself while serving a life sentence for another murder conviction.
Judge James Burke approved the swap during Friday's hearing in Manhattan.
MORE: Judge Rules Harvey Weinstein Case Will Move Forward
Weinstein, 66, is charged with raping a woman in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on a different woman in 2006. He denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex.
His new legal team also features Ronald Sullivan, Pamela Robillard Mackey and ex-Manhattan prosecutor Duncan Levin.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
