Harvey Weinstein case: Manhattan district attorney assigns sex crimes prosecutor

The Manhattan district attorney has assigned a senior sex crimes prosecutor to investigate allegations against Harvey Weinstein, his office confirmed today after another actress accused the fallen Hollywood mogul of rape. 

"A senior sex crimes prosecutor is assigned to this investigation, and the office has been working with our partners in the NYPD since the new allegations came to light," communications director Joan Vollero told AFP in an email.  

"As this is an active investigation, we will not be commenting further." She confirmed the move after "Boardwalk Empire" actress Paz de la Huerta accused Weinstein of raping her twice at her New York apartment in late 2010.  

Police confirm they are investigating de la Huerta's allegations, which unlike many others against Weinstein, are recent enough to potentially prosecute. It is at least the third Weinstein case that has been investigated by New York police. 

"I was so terrified of him," de la Huerta told Vanity Fair. "He's like a pig... he raped me." Vanity Fair said the New York detective leading the investigation told the magazine that he believed there was enough evidence to arrest the fallen mogul. 

New York police told AFP that the department was aware of the assault complaints. "We are actively investigating them. The NYPD continues to work with the Manhattan district attorney's office on the case," a spokesperson said today.

 Around 100 women have come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct since a New York Times expose was published in early October. The accusations range from harassment to rape.

 Weinstein denies any non-consensual relations.

The NYPD previously confirmed one active Weinstein investigation regarding actress Lucia Evans, who accused the disgraced mogul of forcing her into oral sex in 2004.

 Italian model Ambra Gutierrez also went to police, accusing Weinstein of groping and sexual harassment in 2015, but the district attorney ultimately decided that evidence was insufficient to prosecute.