A former model delivered an emotional court testimony on Thursday, describing incidents where she claimed Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her both at age 16 and again four years later. She referred to the initial incident as the most “horrifying thing I ever experienced.” Kaja Sokola shared her story with a jury during Weinstein’s #MeToo retrial, becoming the second of three women to testify against the former Hollywood mogul in this proceeding. Sokola is the sole accuser who is appearing in court for the first time, as she was not involved in Weinstein’s initial 2020 trial.
The charges against Weinstein include a criminal sex act, stemming from a 2006 allegation of forced oral sex on Sokola in a Manhattan hotel when she was approaching her 20th birthday. The first alleged assault, happening when Sokola was 16, cannot be prosecuted due to legal time restrictions. Weinstein has denied these allegations and maintains his innocence. Defense lawyers will begin their cross-examination of Sokola on Friday, suggesting that Weinstein’s accusers had consented to sexual interactions, hoping these encounters would further their careers.
Sokola, originally from Poland, began a modeling career at 14, traveling globally for professional commitments but holding a deep aspiration for acting. Her interest in acting propelled her to meet Weinstein in 2002 at a New York nightclub, where he offered to discuss it over lunch. However, the encounter veered unexpectedly when Weinstein led her to his apartment, allegedly insisting she remove her clothes under the pretext that actors need to be comfortable with nudity in films.
Feeling vulnerable as a teenager alone with an older man, Sokola complied by taking off her blouse and following Weinstein into a bathroom. Despite voicing her opposition, she testified that he forcibly touched her, made her touch him, and instructed her to maintain silence, suggesting he could assist her acting career.
As she recounted these traumatic experiences to the court, Sokola was visibly distressed, shedding tears and using tissue paper to wipe her face as the captivated jury noted her testimony. Weinstein, now 73, averted his gaze during her testimony, using his thumb and index finger to cover part of his face.
Reflecting on the events of 2006, Sokola became emotional again. She stated that her aspirations to act kept her in contact with Weinstein. She clarified that she never desired anything other than an honest assessment of her acting potential from Weinstein, making it clear she never sought any romantic or sexual connections with him. Despite her intentions, a script-reading meeting in Weinstein’s hotel room turned into another traumatic episode, where she detailed being forcefully pinned down and undressed.
After the traumatic experience, Sokola did not inform her sister, who had accompanied her to the set of “The Nanny Diaries” earlier, about the assault. She refrained from sharing the incident to hide the grave disrespect she endured from Weinstein.
She came forward during Weinstein’s first trial days and took legal action in light of the massive outpouring of accusations against Weinstein in 2017 that led to the #MeToo movement gaining momentum. Sokola was awarded $3.5 million as part of a settlement.
Previously, another accuser, Miriam Haley, testified against Weinstein, accusing him of sexual assault in 2006, and Jessica Mann, the third accuser, will soon testify about an alleged rape in 2013. All three have publicly permitted the use of their names in associated reports.