Harvey Weinstein has enlisted the legal services of Luigi Mangione and attorneys who have represented Sean “Diddy” Combs for his upcoming third New York rape trial. This move comes as Weinstein opted not to resolve the case with a guilty plea, leading to a reshuffling of his legal team.
Weinstein’s new lawyers, Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo, and Teny Geragos, have been confirmed to take over from his previous attorney, Arthur Aidala, who will now focus on Weinstein’s appeals and civil matters. Kaplan, a member of Weinstein’s original defense team in 2018, is expected to play a prominent role in the upcoming trial, which centers on allegations that Weinstein raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
The trial, originally scheduled to begin on March 3, has been postponed without a new date set. Weinstein is set to appear in court on March 4 for a status conference. Kaplan and Agnifilo are also representing Mangione in separate state and federal cases related to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Agnifilo and Geragos, who previously represented Combs, have a track record of success in high-profile cases, including achieving acquittals on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Weinstein’s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, stated that Weinstein believes a fresh perspective and strategic approach are necessary for a successful outcome in his ongoing legal battles.
Following a previous trial where Weinstein was convicted on some charges but faced a hung jury on others, the upcoming trial holds significant weight for Weinstein’s fate. Despite being behind bars since his initial conviction in 2020, Weinstein continues to fight his legal battles on multiple fronts.
