Kaylah Walton
Since the rise of the #MeToo movement, many male celebrities have been accused of sexual misconduct, yet only a select few have actually faced legal consequences.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is the latest addition to this list of legally charged individuals.
Below is an overview of several high-profile men who have faced legal action recently and the results of their cases:
Harvey Weinstein
The former film executive was charged in New York and California following numerous allegations of sexual assault from women.
In 2022, he was found guilty in Los Angeles of raping and assaulting one woman among four he was charged with. This involved an Italian actress who stated that Weinstein barged into her hotel in 2013 during a film festival.
Weinstein, now 72, was cleared of one sexual battery charge related to a massage therapist’s claims from 2010, as the jury could not make a decision on other allegations. In New York, he was convicted in 2020 but had his sentence overturned earlier this year due to unfair testimony admission. A retrial is forthcoming with added allegations from another accuser.
Bill Cosby
The ex-star of “The Cosby Show” was among the first high-profile figures to undergo trial amid the #MeToo movement.
He was charged in 2015 after a district attorney propelled by newly revealed evidence filed accusations just before the statute of limitations closed. Cosby faced charges from Andrea Constand, who claimed he drugged and assaulted her.
Despite a hung jury in his first trial, Cosby was convicted in 2018 and given a prison sentence. However, in 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the ruling due to prosecutorial error. With multiple women alleging sexual misconduct against him, Cosby maintains his innocence.
R. Kelly
In federal court, R. Kelly faced convictions for producing child sexual abuse materials and sex trafficking.
The artist, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, received a 30-year prison sentence in New York and another concurrent 20-year term for similar charges in Chicago.
The 57-year-old was accused of leveraging his fame to exploit young fans, some of whom were minors, in a long-lasting scheme. His legal team is currently appealing the verdicts.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Combs was arrested in New York on September 16, accused of using his status to solicit sexual acts from women and male sex workers during drug-influenced gatherings termed “Freak Offs.”
Prosecutors claim he utilized threats and violence to prevent victims from speaking out. The 54-year-old faces serious charges including federal racketeering and sex trafficking, with possible sentencing of 15 years or more.
Kevin Spacey
A jury in London found Spacey not guilty last year of sexual assault charges from four men, with allegations dating back two decades.
Three men accused him of aggressive conduct, describing his behavior as predatory. Spacey defended himself by claiming to be a flirt with consensual relationships, arguing that his touch was a misguided advance.
This acquittal followed a successful defense against a civil lawsuit filed by “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp in New York in 2022.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
The award-winning actor from “Jerry Maguire” pleaded guilty in 2022 to forcibly kissing a nightclub staff member and had other charges dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Gooding later apologized for his actions, noting his celebrity status and expressing no intention to cause harm. He admitted to kissing the waitress without her consent.
Danny Masterson
The “That ’70s Show” actor is currently serving a 30-year to life sentence for the rape of two women.
After an initial trial ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury, Masterson was retried, resulting in his conviction for two of three counts of rape from incidents in 2003.
There’s been ongoing discussion about how his association with the Church of Scientology affected the reporting and prosecution of the allegations.
