#MeToo Era: Celebrities Who Faced Sexual Misconduct Charges \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Since the #MeToo movement, several high-profile male celebrities have faced sexual misconduct allegations, but only a few have been criminally charged. Notable cases include Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, with outcomes ranging from convictions to acquittals. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent cases and their results.
Criminal Charges in the #MeToo Era: Quick Looks
- Harvey Weinstein: Convicted of sexual assault in both New York and California; his 23-year New York sentence was overturned, with a retrial scheduled.
- Bill Cosby: Convicted in 2018 for sexual assault but later released after the conviction was overturned in 2021 due to a procedural agreement.
- R. Kelly: Serving a 30-year sentence for producing child sexual abuse material and sex trafficking; additional 20-year sentence added in a Chicago case.
- Sean “Diddy” Combs: Charged with sex trafficking and racketeering in 2023, he faces a possible 15-year sentence if convicted.
- Kevin Spacey: Acquitted of sexual assault charges in London, following a successful defense in a U.S. civil lawsuit brought by actor Anthony Rapp.
- Cuba Gooding Jr.: Pleaded guilty to forcible kissing, avoiding trial through a plea deal and apologizing publicly to his accusers.
- Danny Masterson: Serving a 30-year-to-life sentence after being convicted of raping two women in his Hollywood home in 2003.
Deep Look:
Since the #MeToo movement surged in 2017, numerous male celebrities in the entertainment industry have faced accusations of sexual misconduct. While many faced public allegations, only a handful have been criminally prosecuted, with outcomes ranging from convictions to acquittals and overturned sentences. Here’s an overview of some of the most high-profile cases.
Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul whose downfall helped ignite the #MeToo movement, has been prosecuted in both New York and California after over 80 women publicly accused him of sexual assault and harassment.
In California, Weinstein was convicted in 2022 of raping and sexually assaulting an Italian actor and model during a 2013 film festival in Los Angeles. This case marked a significant moment, as Weinstein was found guilty of three counts, but acquitted on another involving a massage therapist from 2010. The jury could not reach a verdict on the remaining two charges, leading to a mistrial on those counts. Weinstein is serving a 16-year sentence for his California convictions and continues to appeal.
Weinstein’s earlier conviction in New York came in 2020 when he was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another, based on chilling testimonies from multiple accusers. However, in 2023, his 23-year sentence was overturned by New York’s highest court, which ruled that the trial judge erred by allowing testimony from accusers unrelated to the case. Weinstein faces a retrial, with an additional indictment brought forward by another woman. His retrial is expected in 2025, further complicating his legal battles. Weinstein denies all accusations and is also dealing with multiple civil lawsuits from other accusers.
Bill Cosby
Once regarded as “America’s Dad,” Bill Cosby became the first major celebrity to go on trial in the post-#MeToo era. He was arrested in 2015, just before the statute of limitations expired on charges brought by Andrea Constand, a Temple University administrator who accused Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 2004. Cosby’s deposition in a prior civil case, in which he admitted to giving women quaaludes, was pivotal evidence.
In 2017, the first trial resulted in a hung jury, but at a retrial in 2018, Cosby was convicted and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. However, in 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby’s conviction, ruling that a previous district attorney’s verbal agreement not to prosecute him should have been upheld. Although no written proof of the agreement existed, the court freed Cosby after three years in prison.
Cosby has faced accusations from over 60 women, ranging from rape to sexual harassment, all of which he denies. He is now 87 years old and has avoided further criminal charges due to the statute of limitations, but he still faces civil lawsuits.
R. Kelly
R&B singer R. Kelly, whose sexual misconduct allegations span decades, was convicted in federal courts in New York and Chicago for heinous crimes involving child sexual abuse material and sex trafficking. Kelly used his fame to exploit young girls, many of whom were minors, in a systematic operation that involved his entourage of managers and aides.
Kelly’s legal troubles culminated in a 30-year prison sentence in 2022, following his conviction in New York on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Earlier this year, a Chicago jury handed him a 20-year sentence for producing child pornography, most of which is concurrent with his New York sentence. Kelly’s attorneys have appealed the convictions, maintaining his innocence despite overwhelming evidence, including testimonies from several of his victims. At age 57, the disgraced musician is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs joined the short list of male celebrities facing criminal prosecution when he was arrested on September 16, 2023. Combs was charged with federal racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, accused of using his power and influence to orchestrate drug-fueled sexual encounters known as “Freak Offs.” Prosecutors alleged that Combs used violence and threats to control his victims, including male sex workers.
If convicted on all charges, Combs, now 54, could face a minimum of 15 years in prison. Despite his legal team’s attempts to have him await trial in the comfort of his Florida mansion, a judge ruled that he would remain in a federal detention center in Brooklyn.
Kevin Spacey
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey was embroiled in multiple sexual assault allegations that spanned decades. In 2022, Spacey was acquitted in a civil lawsuit filed by actor Anthony Rapp, who had accused Spacey of making an unwanted sexual advance when Rapp was a teenager. Following his victory in that case, Spacey faced criminal charges in the UK, where several men accused him of sexually assaulting them over a 20-year period.
In 2023, a London jury acquitted Spacey of all charges, following a contentious trial where the men testified that Spacey had aggressively grabbed their crotches. Spacey admitted to being a “flirt” but insisted his actions were consensual or misunderstood. His acquittal in both cases has allowed Spacey to slowly attempt a return to the public eye, although his career remains largely stalled.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. faced criminal charges after being accused of forcibly kissing a nightclub worker in 2018. His arrest in 2019 led to additional accusations from two more women who claimed similar unwanted advances. However, Gooding avoided jail time by pleading guilty to a lesser charge in 2022, admitting to kissing the waitress without her consent. In return, prosecutors dropped the more serious charges.
As part of his plea deal, Gooding also apologized to his accusers, expressing regret for his behavior but maintaining that he never intended harm. His public admission of guilt marked the end of his legal troubles, although the case damaged his once-bright Hollywood career.
Danny Masterson
Former “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson is currently serving a 30-year-to-life prison sentence after being convicted of raping two women at his Hollywood home in 2003. Masterson’s first trial ended in a mistrial when the jury could not agree on a verdict, but a retrial in 2023 resulted in guilty convictions on two counts of rape. The jury could not reach a decision on a third charge involving Masterson’s ex-girlfriend.
Prosecutors argued that Masterson, a prominent member of the Church of Scientology, used his status in the organization to avoid accountability for years. The women who testified against him claimed that the Church of Scientology discouraged them from reporting the rapes, fearing retaliation. Masterson’s conviction highlights how power dynamics within religious institutions can complicate the pursuit of justice.
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