Harvey Weinstein facing new Los Angeles sexual assault charges as trial begins in New York

New sexual assault charges have been filed against film producer Harvey Weinstein in Los Angeles on the same day he goes to court in New York.

The disgraced former executive arrived at a Manhattan Court on Tuesday facing allegations he raped a woman in 2013 and performed a sex act on another in 2006.

As court proceedings began, LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced Weinstein would also face charges of raping a woman in 2013 and sexually assaulting another only days later.

According to Variety, four new charges have been filed - forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by force, and sexual battery by restraint.

"We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them," Lacey said.

If found guilty, Weinstein could face 28 years in prison. That would be on top of the life imprisonment he would get if convicted for the New York charges. Weinstein denies all allegations. 

Weinstein hobbled into court on Tuesday leaning on a walker, dressed in a black suit, with a member of his team holding his arm. Lead defense counsel Donna Rotunno followed close behind.

Outside the courthouse, the Silence Breakers, a group of Weinstein accusers including actresses Rosanna Arquette and Rose McGowan, held a press conference, demanding the former producer be held accountable.

"As we stand here at the beginning of a new year and a new decade, time's up on sexual harassment in all workplaces," said Arquette. "And time's up on the pervasive culture of silence that has enabled abusers like Weinstein."

Weinstein did not engage with the accusers who shouted at him outside court. McGowan was dismissive of Weinstein's feeble appearance. "I think he's taken some good acting tips."

More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades.

Those accusations helped fuel the #MeToo movement, in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, politics, the news media and entertainment of sexual harassment or assault.

Monday's court proceedings will being with a pretrial conference in state court in Manhattan, with jury selection starting on Tuesday, according to Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, whose office brought the charges.