Harvey Weinstein's defense team secures a win; can use email from California Governor Newsom's wife in trial

close

Video

Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines of Oct. 18

Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here.

Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein secured a partial victory in court Monday. 

A judge said she would allow Weinstein's defense the opportunity to question the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, about an email she sent to Weinstein two years after she was allegedly raped by the now 70-year-old.

Los Angeles Judge Lisa Lench ruled that the defense could ask about an email Siebel Newsom sent seeking media advice from Weinstein, but could not say it was about revelations of an affair that Gavin Newsom had with an aide when he was mayor of San Francisco. 

Weinstein's attorney, Mark Werksman, argued it was imperative to include the details, stating, "Of all things you’d think a woman that is raped by Harvey Weinstein wouldn’t do, it’s ask him how to deal with a sex scandal."

The judge disagreed with Werksman, suggesting he was overstating the case by saying Weinstein’s due process was at stake.

Harvey Weinstein's defense team will be allowed to question Jennifer Siebel Newsom about an email she allegedly sent Weinstein two years after he allegedly raped her. (Etienne Laurent-Pool)

MEL GIBSON CAN TESTIFY AT HARVEY WEINSTEIN TRIAL: JUDGE

Siebel Newsom is one of five women Weinstein has been charged with raping and sexually assaulting. 

This particular assault allegedly happened between 2004 and 2005 in a Beverly Hills hotel.

It was reported that Weinstein's team will argue the relationship was consensual. 

Harvey Weinstein's defense argued that the context surrounding the email Jennifer Siebel Newsom sent should be included, but the judge disagreed. (Etienne Laurent-Pool)

HARVEY WEINSTEIN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 11 SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES IN CALIFORNIA

Siebel Newsom is an actress and filmmaker who had been dating California's Gov. since 2006. They were married in 2008. 

Throughout the course of their marriage, Siebel Newsom has been outspoken on sexual assault and gender equality.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, photographed with President Biden, have been married since 2008. (David McNew)

"Like many other women, my client was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein at a purported business meeting that turned out to be a trap," Beth Fegan, attorney for Jennifer Siebel Newsom and managing partner of FeganScott, tells Fox News Digital. "She intends to testify at his trial in order to seek some measure of justice for survivors, and as part of her life’s work to improve the lives of women. Please respect her choice to not discuss this matter outside of the courtroom."

The prosecution also secured a win on Monday, with the judge permitting the prosecution to play jurors a secret recording that another witness, Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, made of Weinstein in conjunction with New York police in 2015. In that recording, Weinstein apologizes for his behavior after she said he had grabbed her breasts and touched her thigh.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Associated Press contributed to this report.