‘Scrubs’ Producer’s Defense Claims ‘Creepy’ Behavior Was Not Illegal in Rape Trial

Attorneys for "Scrubs" producer Eric Weinberg are set to argue that his actions, while potentially "distasteful" and "creepy," were not illegal as his rape trial commences. Weinberg, 66, faces accusations of luring women to his home for photo shoots between 2014 and 2019 and sexually assaulting them.

Weinberg, who produced nearly 100 episodes of the popular sitcom "Scrubs" and also wrote for the series "Californication," is accused of posing women in various stages of undress during these photo sessions, with the encounters subsequently turning sexual without their consent, according to testimony from nine Jane Does during a preliminary hearing. He faces 23 charges, including sexual battery and forcible rape.

His defense team, led by attorney Philip Cohen, contends that all encounters were consensual, based on the women's conduct, words, and actions. Attorney Robin Sax, another member of Weinberg's defense team, has suggested that the prosecution gained momentum during Weinberg's contentious divorce proceedings. Documents filed during the divorce and child custody case alleged sexual assaults during photo shoots, which Sax argued were part of an effort by Weinberg's ex-wife to gain full custody.

"Had he stopped fighting the family law case, we probably wouldn’t be here, in my view," Sax stated in court, suggesting the legal battles influenced the sexual assault charges.

Weinberg was arrested in October 2022 and initially released on $5 million bail. His bail was later revoked by a judge after additional charges were filed, and he has remained in Los Angeles County Jail since. Recently, prosecutors dropped five charges related to one accuser who had claimed assault in 2018.

Weinberg will face a jury of eight men and four women in Downtown Los Angeles. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.