Harvey Weinstein Revamps Defense Team Ahead of Third Rape Trial
Harvey Weinstein, the once-prominent film executive facing significant legal challenges, has made notable changes to his defense team as he prepares for his upcoming third rape trial in New York. He has enlisted three well-known attorneys, specifically chosen for their track record with clients like Luigi Mangione and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Recent court filings indicate that Jacob Kaplan, Mark Agnifilo, and Tennie Geragos will now lead the defense. Observers suggest that this shift isn’t merely a change in personnel; it appears to align Weinstein’s strategy with current trends in the legal landscape.
Kaplan and Agnifilo are currently defending Luigi Mangione, involved in the murder case of a United Healthcare CEO from 2024. Meanwhile, Agnifilo and Geragos recently represented Sean “Diddy” Combs, achieving a mixed verdict, including an acquittal on charges related to sex trafficking.
This legal transition comes after Weinstein, now 73, opted not to accept a guilty plea, instead seeking what his spokeswoman, Judah Engelmayer, described as a “recalibration of perspective and strategic approach.”
Arthur Aidala, who has represented Weinstein for years and was instrumental in overturning his 2020 conviction, will remain involved but will focus on appellate work and other civil matters during the new trial.
“After two previous trials, Mr. Harvey believes that a recalibrated outlook and strategic approach provides the most effective path forward,” Engelmayer stated.
In his 2020 trial, a jury convicted Weinstein of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against Miriam Haley while acquitting him of the more severe charge of predatory sexual assault involving another accuser. The jury also could not reach a verdict on a charge of third-degree rape related to a third woman.
The forthcoming trial will focus on unresolved allegations that Weinstein raped Jessica Mann, a hairstylist and aspiring actress, in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. Mann’s testimony includes previous instances of perceived sexual misconduct by Weinstein; however, the primary unresolved charge is the rape itself, which stalled during the previous retrial in June 2025.
The charge of third-degree rape carries a maximum penalty of four years. Although Weinstein has spent much of that sentence already, another conviction could influence his legal status, especially considering a separate 16-year sentence in California that is under appeal.
Interestingly, Jacob Kaplan is not entirely new to this case—he was part of Weinstein’s original defense team back in 2018 and thus brings valuable insight into the prosecution’s strategy.
Originally, the trial was set to start on March 3, 2026. However, it has been postponed to an unspecified date as the new attorneys prepare. A status meeting is still scheduled for March 4.
It’s worth noting that Kaplan and Agnifilo are also involved in another high-stakes case, which could potentially delay Weinstein’s trial even further.
Despite Weinstein’s assertions about unfairness in the trial proceedings, Judge Farber, who is overseeing this third trial, has dismissed those claims, maintaining that Weinstein has received a fair trial thus far.
