Harvey Weinstein's trial reopened this week, with prosecutors accusing the disgraced film producer of utilising his influence in Hollywood to sexually harass and abuse three women.
The trial gives a new jury a fresh look at the rape and sexual assault allegations – plus a newly added claim. Kaja Sokola, a former model, has been publicly identified for the first time. Weinstein is accused of forcing oral sex on her in 2006, but she also accused him in a civil lawsuit of groping her against her will four years earlier, when she was 16.
In opening statements Wednesday morning, Shannon Lucey, a prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, told the jury 'he knew how tempting promises of success were. He produced, he choreographed, he directed their ultimate silence for years'.
Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty, and in court his lawyer sought to cast doubt on the women's claims and credibility. His attorney told the jury the prosecution case would 'fall flat on its face' after they heard all the evidence. 'They're going to ask you to make sense of things that just don't make sense,' he said.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned, on the basis that he did not receive a fair trial. He was indicted on new sexual assault charges in the state in September.
Who is Kaja Sokola?
Kaja Sokola is a former model. When she was just 16, Sokola left Poland to move to New York, to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress in Hollywood. She transitioned into modelling, which is how she came across Weinstein. According to the New York Times, Weinstein and Kaja first met at a modelling event in 2002.
In a 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, Sokola opened up about the upsetting details. 'People at the event said, "This is the king of Hollywood, and he can make everything happen,"' Sokola recalled of her first encounter with Weinstein. 'He said, "If you want to be an actress, I can see you have potential and I would like to meet with you for lunch and discuss it." Of course, I’ve heard, "Do not go out for dinners. People can put all sorts of drugs in your drinks." But a lunch seemed safe.'
Afterwards, Kaja studied psychology, becoming a licensed psychologist. She has worked on TV shows, including Good Morning Poland, and published two books.
What has Kaja Sokola accused Harvey Weinstein of?
Weinstein is criminally charged with forcing oral sex on Kaja Sokola in 2006, but she also accused him in a civil lawsuit of groping her against her will four years earlier, when she was 16.
In a previous statement, Sokola said: 'I have been living with the trauma of that day ever since,' adding it drove her out of modelling. 'I have long since moved on from modelling and, because of Harvey Weinstein, gave up on my dreams of acting.'
When the retrial began this Wednesday, prosecutor Shannon Lucey set forth for the first time that Weinstein assaulted her as an adult. After the initial alleged assault, Weinstein and Sokola periodically kept in touch for a few years, which resulted in her getting a role as an extra on the Nanny Diaries, starring Scarlett Johansson and Alicia Keys. 'She fully recognised this was not a typical extra experience. Sokola’s first on-camera opportunity felt special and important because of what her demanding family thought of the acting dream,' said Lucey.
In 2006, after lunch with her sister and Weinstein at a hotel, Sokola alleges that Weinstein forced oral sex on her in his hotel room after claiming he had scripts for her to see.
The trial will continue with witness testimony and is expected to last four to six weeks.