Rose McGowan describes Harvey Weinstein as a “mafia boss” and questions if he’s in prison

Posted On January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Actor and activist Rose McGowan has shed doubt on convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein’s life behind bars, alleging that the “thug” might be serving out his time in a “mansion in Connecticut.”

The Italian-American actor was one of the first to publicly accuse the film producer of sexual assault. Her story inspired the global MeToo movement, which saw women banding together to share their stories of assault in the industry.

Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct by over 100 women. In 2020, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison in New York after being convicted of rape and criminal sexual acts.

Nonetheless, the conviction was overturned in April 2024, due to procedural errors relating to testimony; proceedings to retry the case are currently ongoing.

In 2022, in Los Angeles, Weinstein was also convicted of rape and other sexual offences; he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

McGowan, recently appearing on Paul Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, has admitted that she remains sceptical as to whether Weinstein has ever been behind bars.

When asked if she considers justice to be served, McGowan responded, “I would love to see a picture of him in prison. I suspect he’s been in a mansion in Connecticut. That’s my theory.”

She added, “I don’t know if he’s ever spent a day in prison. Hollywood, baby. I don’t know, maybe.”

The Scream actor continued, “I think he was a thug. Not the Mafia boss of the cool kind with the suit, like Marlon Brando, Godfather type, but more like a street way.”

Musing on Hollywood’s former adoration of the filmmaker, she also shared, “They calculated that he was thanked more times than God at the Oscars. Harvey Weinstein was their god. This was far worse than the cult I grew up in.”

After the emotional interview, McGowan shared that she would love to return to acting. She confessed, “The majority of my life than not I have had this warthog from hell on my back and buying off public’s perception of me.”

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

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