Context:

Kaja Sokola, a former model, has testified for the first time in Harvey Weinstein's retrial, accusing him of sexually assaulting her in 2006. Her testimony comes after an appeals court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction, prompting a retrial that includes new charges based on Sokola's allegations. Despite Weinstein's defense claiming consensual relationships, Sokola and other accusers assert that he exploited the promise of career opportunities to prey on women. Sokola's accusation joins those of two other women, highlighting the widespread abuse that fueled the #MeToo movement. The trial continues as Weinstein pleads not guilty to all charges, and his defense aims to question Sokola's delayed disclosure of the assault.

Dive Deeper:

• Kaja Sokola, who met Harvey Weinstein as a 16-year-old model in 2002, has accused him of forcing oral sex on her in 2006 during a meeting purportedly about her career. She later sued Weinstein after the #MeToo movement brought attention to his misconduct, receiving $3.5 million in compensation.

• Sokola's testimony is part of Weinstein's retrial following the overturning of his 2020 conviction by an appeals court, which has added an additional sexual assault charge based on her allegation.

• Weinstein's legal team argues that the women, including Sokola, consented to sexual encounters with hopes of advancing their careers, while the accusers maintain that Weinstein used his influence to manipulate and exploit them.

• Prosecutors argue that Sokola's attorneys reached out at the onset of Weinstein's initial trial, but the pandemic and his conviction at the time delayed the pursuit of her charges until now.

• Sokola's sister, Dr. Ewa Sokola, recounted the day of the alleged assault, describing Kaja's tense demeanor upon returning from a meeting with Weinstein, though she did not disclose the assault until years later.

• Other accusers in the retrial include Miriam Haley, who testified about a similar incident in 2006, and Jessica Mann, who is expected to testify, highlighting a pattern of Weinstein's predatory behavior.

• Weinstein's defense has criticized the inclusion of Sokola's charge, arguing it was improperly added to bolster the credibility of other accusers, as the trial proceeds with Weinstein denying all charges.