The judge presiding over Harvey Weinstein’s trial scolded the disgraced Hollywood mogul after he was caught using a cell phone prior to the judge’s entrance into the courtroom on Tuesday.
Weinstein, 67, faces five felony charges from two women, although dozens more have accused him of sexual misconduct over the years. Despite the allegations, he has claimed that he is innocent. The trial for those charges began on Monday.
Shortly before Judge James M. Burke entered the courtroom, Weinstein and his legal team were reprimanded after a court officer caught him on a cell phone.
“There is an issue, it’s an ongoing issue, it’s been an issue every single court date,” the judge told Weinstein’s team, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “Mr. Weinstein, I could not implore you more to not answer the following question: Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life, by texting in violation of an order? Is it?”
The judge stopped short of revoking his bail but gave the legal team an additional warning.
Weinstein was indicted for rape in Los Angeles, California, on Monday in addition to the charges he is currently standing trial for. He was charged with forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force, and sexual battery by restraint.
