Harvey Weinstein plays the father card before sentencing as his kids recall imagining his hug
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Harvey Weinstein brought his children into his final courtroom plea before a New York judge handed him a 15-year prison sentence on Wednesday, September 23.
He reportedly read personal letters from his daughter and 13-year-old son, including memories of birthdays, bullying, and the siblings wearing their father’s sweaters while imagining he was hugging them.
Weinstein then asked Judge Curtis Farber for mercy, closing an extraordinary day in his long-running New York case.
Harvey Weinstein reads a letter from his daughter to Farber (here's what I caught):
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) September 23, 2026
"He's the type of person who would drop everyrthing to help his family and friends"
"Every important event in my life has been empty since he left. My graduation, my birthday, etc."
"I was…
Harvey Weinstein reads letters by his kids
The courtroom took a deeply personal turn when Weinstein reportedly began reading what his children had written about him.
His daughter described him as the kind of person who would drop everything to help family and friends, according to accounts from inside the proceedings.
She reportedly wrote that important moments had felt different since her father went to prison.
Her graduation and birthday were among the occasions she described as empty without him.
She also said that she had been severely bullied at school because of her father. “I miss him,” she wrote.
Weinstein then read a message from his 13-year-old son.
The teenager reportedly described his father as someone who always put his children first.
He recalled a habit involving himself and his sister: the two would sleep in Weinstein’s clothes, including his sweaters and imagine that their father was holding them.
Weinstein finished reading the letters and asked Farber for mercy.
The judge then called a five-minute break before moving forward with the sentencing.
Attorney Gloria Allred, with client Miriam Haley by her side, addresses the #MeToo movement, declaring that “it’s not dead” and that “nothing could be further from the truth.” Allred is speaking to press after Judge Curtis Farber sentenced Harvey Weinstein to 15 years for the… pic.twitter.com/eEdnY3W2r1
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) September 23, 2026
Miriam Haley describes years of harm
Miriam Haley also spoke directly to Farber before the sentence.
The former 'Project Runway' production assistant said the 2006 assault continued to affect her long after it happened, including the way she viewed her personal and professional life.
Haley also described the strain of repeatedly revisiting the case in court, saying she had faced difficult testimony and cross-examination while feeling that she was the one being judged.
She said coming forward meant living with lasting fear and called the experience a “life sentence.”
After Farber imposed the 15-year term, Haley said she was happy with the sentence. She added that the sentence was fair and justified.
Gloria Allred, who represented Haley, later addressed reporters and rejected the idea that the MeToo movement had lost its impact.
