Harvey Weinstein 'to be charged' over sexual misconduct allegations

Harvey Weinstein is expected to be arrested and charged over sexual misconduct allegations as early as Friday.

The 66-year-old movie mogul was set to surrender to authorities in New York who have been investigating him for months.

He is expected to face charges related to accusations by at least one woman - Lucia Evans, the former actress - The New York Times reported.

She has claimed that the studio boss forced her into oral sex during a business meeting in 2004.

The exact nature of the charges being brought by the Manhattan district attorney's office was unclear. It was also not clear if Weinstein would be charged in connection with allegations by any other women.

The former producer will surrender himself at a police station before being brought to Manhattan Supreme Court, the New York Post reported.

More than 70 women have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault in recent months.

He has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

The latest development followed an investigation by the Manhattan district attorney's office and New York police department. Both did not comment.

Ben Brafman, a lawyer for Weinstein, declined to comment.

Actress Rose McGowan, who has accused Weinstein of raping her 20 years ago, said was gratified but "still in shock" at the news that he was expected to surrender.

"I still have very guarded hopes," McGowan told The Associated Press on Thursday night. "The justice system has been something very elusive. I hope in this case it works. Because it's all true. None of this was consensual.

"I hope this gives hope to victims and survivors everywhere, that we are one step closer to justice. Because one win is a win for all of us," McGowan said. "It shows that it can be done."

The allegations gave rise to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment of sexual misconduct.

Ashley Judd, the actress, last month sued Weinstein, saying that he cost her a part The Lord of the Rings in 1998 after she rejected his sexual advances, allegations that Weinstein has denied.

Other prominent actresses who have made public accusations include Uma Thurman and Salma Hayek.

The twice-married father-of-five has been investigated by British and US police, but has not yet been charged with any crime.

In a previous statement, a representative for Weinstein said: "Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances."

Earlier this week federal US prosecutors opened their own criminal investigation into sexual assault accusations.

Mr Brafman said he had met with them "in an attempt to dissuade them from proceeding" and would continue to meet with them in coming weeks.

He is one of America's most celebrated criminal defence lawyers and his previous clients include Michael Jackson; Martin Shkreli, the former drug company executive; and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former head of the International Monetary Fund. Weinstein has recently spent time at a rehabilitation centre in Arizona.