Film mogul Harvey Weinstein has appeared in handcuffs in a New York court to face charges of rape and other sex crimes against two of the scores of women who have accused him of misconduct.
Weinstein, the 66-year-old co-founder of the Miramax film studio and the Weinstein Co, intends to plead not guilty to the two counts of rape and one count of a criminal sexual act, his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told reporters outside the Manhattan courthouse.
Prosecutors did not identify the two women but said the crimes took place in 2004 and 2013. If convicted on the most serious charges, Weinstein could face between five and 25 years in prison.
Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 70 women, with some of the cases dating back decades, has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
The accusations, first reported last year by the New York Times and the New Yorker, gave rise to the (hash) MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment of misconduct.
"This defendant used his position, money and power to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually," prosecutor Joan Illuzzi said at Weinstein's arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday.
Weinstein appeared pale, and stood next to Brafman, staring into the middle distance while prosecutors described a bail agreement.
Judge Kevin McGrath ordered Weinstein released on $US1 million ($A1.3 million) cash bail. The defendant surrendered his US passport and agreed to wear a monitoring device that tracks his location, confining him to the states of New York and Connecticut.
Weinstein earlier turned himself in at a lower Manhattan police station around 7.25am local time. About 90 minutes later, Weinstein was led by officers into court in handcuffs, grimacing with his head bowed, to await arraignment.
The charges followed a months-long investigation that involved the Manhattan district attorney's office and the New York Police Department.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Weinstein lawyer Brafman signalled that he intends to attempt to undermine the credibility of hus client's accusers.
A jury would not believe the women, Brafman said, "assuming we get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case".
Actress Rose McGowan, among the first to accuse Weinstein of sexual assault, said seeing images of him in handcuffs was surreal.
"I actually did not believe this day would come," she said on NBC's Megyn Kelly Today program. "This is a big strike into the heart of abuse of power."
Weinstein was a fixture in elite entertainment circles in Manhattan and Los Angeles until his accusers came forward. He sought treatment for sex addiction at a facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, the New York Times reported.
London's Metropolitan Police have said they are investigating an allegation of sexual assault against Weinstein, while prosecutors in Los Angeles said in February they were reviewing three accusations of sexual assault against him.
The New York charges filed against Weinstein mark the second high-profile prosecution of a once-powerful show business personality.
A month ago, comedian Bill Cosby was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting a one-time friend, one of dozens of women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Australian Associated Press
