The recent wave of sexual assault allegations against powerful Hollywood men has spurred the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office to set up a task force that’s specifically focused on the entertainment business.
The LA police departments have yet to bring any criminal prosecutions to the D.A.’s office, according to District Attorney Jackie Lacey. This new task unit will investigate any cases that do arise.
Lacey announced in a statement:
“In response to the widespread allegations of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, I have established a task force of specially trained deputy district attorneys who are ready to evaluate these cases if any are referred to my office for criminal prosecution. I have assigned the group of veteran sex crimes prosecutors to work together to ensure a uniformed approach to the legal review and possible prosecution of any case that meets both the legal and factual standards for criminal prosecution.”
Of the multiple allegations made against men like Harvey Weinstein, James Toback, Brett Ratner, and Kevin Spacey, there have been no recent prosecutions. An NYPD investigation of Weinstein is underway, with a potential indictment, after actress Paz de la Huerta said Weinstein raped her twice in her Manhattan apartment seven years ago.