A lawyer for the former producer claimed that a Polish model, who alleged Harvey Weinstein assaulted her when she was 16, was part of a cash scheme intended to help her escape an abusive marriage. This was discussed in a Manhattan Supreme Court session on Friday.
Michael Sibera, connected to the defunct Miramax, focused on Kaja Sokora, 39, alleging that she was part of a larger fraud linked to Weinstein’s sexual misconduct cases.
Sokora’s claims about her husband’s abuse led her lawyer to assert that she felt compelled to find money to leave him.
Sokora received $475,000 through a Victims Compensation Fund set up during bankruptcy proceedings related to Weinstein. Additionally, she reportedly settled with Bob Weinstein, Harvey’s brother, for $3 million.
“She’s been trapped in an abusive relationship for four years, and once she gets money from the bankruptcy case, she’ll leave,” Sibera argued.
During questioning, Sokora mentioned that she was applying for a “u” visa, which allows crime victims to stay in the U.S., and that she would cooperate with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in prosecuting Weinstein.
Prosecutor Shannon Lucy criticized the defense’s claims, stating they were overblown.
“It’s all just grasping at straws,” Lucy remarked.
Judge Curtis Farber instructed the jury to disregard certain questions posed by Sibera.
Sokora alleged that Weinstein assaulted her three times when she was a 16-year-old aspiring model in 2002.
She recounted an instance where Weinstein lured her to lunch, taking her to his loft instead, where he groped her.
Years later, on a car ride in 2004, Sokora stated he groped her again but she rebuffed his advances.
At the age of 19 in 2006, she met Weinstein again at a hotel restaurant. He then invited her to view a script in his room, where she claimed he assaulted her verbally.
Friday afternoon, Sokora became emotional as she shared how the alleged assaults impacted her acting aspirations, leading to her feeling rejected by the industry. “My heart was broken,” she expressed, reflecting on her initial hopes of making it in Hollywood.
Sokora testified that Weinstein had promised to help her career but ultimately only secured her a minor role that was cut from the final film.
Sokora’s testimony will continue on Tuesday morning. The current trial focuses solely on the alleged 2006 assault, not the previous claims.
She is the first person to share her experiences against Weinstein in this ongoing trial, especially after his prior conviction and 23-year sentence was overturned last year. He maintains a not guilty plea and could face a 25-year sentence if found guilty again.
