Oct 26, 2022
A Hollywood producer associated with well-known productions such as “Scrubs” and “Californication” was remanded into custody Tuesday after a judge characterized him as a “potential danger to society,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
Eric Weinberg, 62, faces 18 felony sex crime counts, including:
He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges following arrests in July and October.
After Weinberg’s July arrest, at which time Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials referred to him as a “serial sexual assault suspect,” the former Hollywood producer was freed on $3.5 million bail. He was then rearrested this month, according to the Los Angeles Times, after prosecutors expanded the previous charges against him to include claims made by five additional women. With the expanded charges, bail was increased to $5 million before ultimately being revoked by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Victoria Wilson. Weinberg was reportedly led away in handcuffs by a deputy after Judge Wilson’s ruling.
“More than half a dozen women have made allegations over the last seven years that Weinberg, 62, lured them to his home, often under the guise of a photo shoot, before restraining and sexually assaulting them,” the Los Angeles Times reported after obtaining police interviews and records.
Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez reportedly told the judge that Weinberg was a predator who was able to “manipulate these women” by wielding his status as a Hollywood producer and writer. Martinez further noted that Weinberg was a flight risk and “needs to be locked up,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Some of the allegations levied against Weinberg by Martinez during the courtroom proceeding included:
LAPD Captain Kelly Muniz confirmed the department has identified at least eight women Weinberg may have victimized, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The attorney representing Weinberg – Phillip Cohen – told the court that his client “has proved he is not a flight risk as he has been under investigation for some time and remained in the jurisdiction,” the Los Angeles Times reported. Cohen also argued that “electronic monitoring and house arrest were viable alternatives” to being remanded into custody.
Judge Wilson called Weinberg a “potential serial rapist” and rejected the suggestion of holding the alleged sexual predator in his home, noting that it is “where some of the alleged crimes occurred,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Police have stated that Weinberg would lure unsuspecting young women from various locations – coffee shops, bars, supermarkets, a Los Feliz pie shop – and convince them to accompany him to his Edgemont Street home under the guise of being a photographer.
“Detectives have said Weinberg would approach women in their 20s and 30s and set up photo shoots with them. Sometimes he talked about his career in Hollywood,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
Additional information on Weinberg’s alleged sexual assaults provided by the Los Angeles Times included:
Anyone who knows of someone who may have been targeted by Eric Weinberg or has information related to a sexual assault committed by the former Hollywood producer is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department immediately at 323-561-3272 or via email at 39284@lapd.online.
Sexual assault survivors may wish to file civil claims against predators in an effort to recover financial compensation for various damages:
Under recent legislation signed into law by Governor Newsom, survivors of sexual assault now have a three-year window to file civil claims for financial compensation – regardless of how long ago the crimes occurred.
California Assembly Bill 2777 (AB 2777) provides adult sexual assault survivors with the opportunity to obtain justice for past crimes that would otherwise be barred because of an expired statute of limitations.
Some important information related to California AB 2777:
Additionally, AB 2777 ensures California sexual assault civil lawsuits are bound by the following deadlines:
Under AB 2777, any claim seeking to recover damages suffered as a result of a sexual assault or other inappropriate conduct, communication, or activity of a sexual nature may now be filed between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2026.
AB 277 also has a one-year window which applies to sexual assaults involving cover-ups. To qualify under the one-year cover-up clause, a survivor would need to allege:
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
To take the first step toward obtaining justice on your own terms following a sexual assault, contact Dordulian Law Group today to file your claim. Our experienced and proven sexual assault attorneys are available 24/7 via 818-322-4056 to discuss your case and give you an overview of the litigation process. During your free consultation, we’ll provide an estimated timeline for all legal proceedings as well as an estimate for how much your damages award may be worth.
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