(NewsNation) — Two of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers told NewsNation on Thursday they were shocked and angered after learning Thursday that the disgraced producer’s 2020 rape conviction had been overturned by the New York Supreme Court.
Louisette Geiss and Paula Williams, both of whom were among those who brought claims against Weinstein, say that what Weinstein’s attorneys have called a “great day for justice” is the exact opposite for Weinstein’s accusers.
“To witness what happened today is just really egregious,” Geiss said on NewsNation’s “Banfield.“
Geiss has previously testified against Weinstein and claimed that she met with Weinstein to pitch a screenplay in 2008. But she said that instead, Weinstein stripped naked, got into a tub, and asked Geiss to watch him pleasure himself.
She recounted how much of a toll it takes on an accuser “when you played a role in taking down such a serial predator” and the challenge in coming forward.
She told “Banfield” that she knows that many women have never come forward with their claims against Weinstein.
Williams, meanwhile, said she was “immediately shocked” and was then confused when she first heard that Weinstein’s conviction had been overturned. She saw the news early Thursday morning and said she needed to read up on the news to “try and figure out how this happened.”
Williams was an aspiring actress and model when she first met Weinstein in 1990. She was told she had been invited to a dinner party at Weinstein’s house, but when she arrived, she was the only one there. She said Weinstein then exposed himself to her.
While the New York Supreme Court’s decision does not mean he has been acquitted, Williams told Banfield that she worries about the precedent that could be set.
“Of course, it’s not good,” Williams said.
Jessica Barth, another Weinstein accuser, told NewsNation the court’s decision “is a tragic step backward in the fight for justice and accountability for victims of sexual violence.”
Barth agreed that the decision sets a dangerous precedent concerning other sexual assault cases.
Weinstein still faces 16 years in prison in California after he was convicted of rape in 2022, but Geiss now worries that Thursday’s decision in New York could affect what could happen on the West Coast.
“He still has 16 years here in Los Angeles and we can’t wait to have him in our prisons,” Geiss told NewsNation.
Yet, both women say they now feel for the women that could have to retestify if Weinstein’s case is retried in New York.
“It should not be on us,” Geiss said Thursday. “We were already the ones who were victimized, right? So to now have to go go through this again is really the challenge.”
Said Weinstein accuser Louise Godbold: “Harvey is mistaken if he believes that we will all go away now.”
She added: “We broke our silence and no one is going to make us shut up.”
Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein’s attorneys, told Banfield on Thursday that the New York Supremee Court’s ruling was “such a great day.”
“At the end of the day, we’re thrilled,” she said.
Weinstein attorney Arthur Aidala said that he spoke with Weinstein on Thursday. Aidala said that the news caught attorneys “completely flat-footed” after they believed that a ruling would not be coming.
Asked if he thinks Weinstein could get a new trial, Aidala replied, “Absolutely” and believes that it could be over in just a week should it return to the courts.
Aidala said that Weinstein learned of the news after being handed a piece of paper with a headline announcing the court’s ruling. He said that Weinstein had claimed from Day 1 that he is innocent, which he still maintains and that he now believes he will get the chance to prove his case fairly.