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Topics: US News, Film and TV, Celebrity, Crime
Emily Brown
Topics: US News, Film and TV, Celebrity, Crime
Scrubs and Anger Management producer Eric Weinberg has been charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney with 18 counts of sexual assault.
Los Angeles police arrested Weinberg on Tuesday (4 October), after prosecutors filed charges including rape, oral copulation, sexual battery and false imprisonment.
Other charges Weinberg is facing include assault by means to cause great bodily harm and six counts of forcible penetration by a foreign object.
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The charges come following allegations made by more than half a dozen women over the last seven years, with police interview and records including claims that Weinberg repeatedly lured women to his home under false pretences before restraining and sexually assaulting them.
A recent investigation by The Hollywood Reporter included allegations made by more than two dozen women, with claims spanning as far back as 2000.
The writer and producer has been accused of using his Hollywood credits to establish trust and using being a photographer as an excuse to get closer to the accusers. Some women claimed Weinberg would pressure them to take off their clothes during photoshoots, while others accused him of engaging in sexual activity without their consent and taking photographs of the acts.
Weinberg was first arrested in 2014 in relation to an allegation of rape made against him, but Deputy District Attorney Teresa de Castro declined to prosecute by claiming 'insufficient evidence'.
Law enforcement again recommended charges against Weinberg in 2016, but the deputy district attorney in the case claimed there was 'no evidence that the defendant used force, threats or intimidation to overcome the will of the victims'.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, lawyer Micha Star Liberty, who is representing a large group of accusers, said: “On behalf of my numerous clients, I am grateful and gratified that the Distinct Attorney’s office has acted swiftly with respect to Mr. Weinberg’s disgusting and damaging crimes that have forever altered the lives of his victims.”
Liberty has also stressed that she and the alleged victims 'will not rest until there is justice'. She indicated plans to pursue Weinberg in civil court as she commented: “I look forward to working to achieve justice through our civil system to help those in need of therapy and other necessary medical treatment to remedy the significant damage done by Eric and others that enabled him to continue to perpetrate abuse upon his victims."
Following Tuesday's arrest, Weinberg was released on $5 million bail.
The television writer worked on the hit NBC show Scrubs from 2002 to 2006, with credits as co-executive producer on more than 100 episodes. He received Emmy nominations for his work on the show, and has also worked as co-executive producer for Showtime’s Californication and Anger Management, starring Charlie Sheen.
Weinberg could not be contacted by UNILAD. We have reached out to Liberty for further comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 802 9999 between 12pm–2.30pm and 7pm– 9.30pm every day. Alternatively, you can contact Victim Support free on 08 08 16 89 111 available 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas
Male Survivors Partnership is available to support adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape. You can contact the organisation on their website or on their free helpline 0808 800 5005, open 9am–5pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 8am–8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10am–2pm Saturdays