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New York - The scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein erupted on 5 October last year, with the publication in The New York Times of a first series of accusations from women who claimed to have been harassed or assaulted by the movie mogul.
Since that time, more than 100 women - A-list stars, aspiring actresses, filmmakers, models, massage therapists and more - have accused Weinstein of everything from questionable comments to assault and rape.
But many of the cases date back more than a decade, meaning they are difficult or even impossible to prosecute.
Numerous civil suits have been filed against Weinstein and his production firm The Weinstein Company, which has been accused of facilitating his predatory behavior. Friday could mark the first time he faces criminal charges.
The following are five key moments since the scandal broke:
The New York Times publishes a bombshell investigative report featuring numerous on-the-record accusations against Weinstein over a period of nearly three decades. Actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan are the highest-profile accusers.
The Times reveals that Weinstein reached non-disclosure agreements in exchange for money with at least eight women, in order to guarantee their silence.
In a statement, Weinstein says: "I appreciate the way I've behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it." His lawyer adds that he "denies many of the accusations as patently false."
The board of The Weinstein Company, which he controls with his brother Bob, ousts him a few days later.
Italian actress and filmmaker Asia Argento tells The New Yorker that Weinstein raped her in 1997. Two other women also accused him of sexual assault.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rosanna Arquette join the list of women accusing Weinstein of harassment.
A spokeswoman for Weinstein says he denies all accusations of non-consensual sex.
The board of governors of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, the institution that awards the Oscars, convenes in emergency session and votes to expel Weinstein, whose films had earned dozens of Oscars over the years.
As the weeks go by, more and more women go public with accusations against Weinstein, either on social media or directly to television cameras.
Other Hollywood celebrities come under a gloomy spotlight as well: actor Kevin Spacey and director/producer Brett Ratner are among those accused.
Criminal inquiries into Weinstein's behavior are carried out by police in London, New York and Los Angeles.
But on 3 November, the New York Police Department confirms they are looking into a credible claim of rape made against Weinstein by actress Paz de la Huerta, who accuses the producer of raping her twice at her New York apartment in late 2010.
"We have an actual case here," NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce tells a news conference.
A few days later, The New Yorker reveals that Weinstein paid journalists and former spies including ex-agents of Israel's Mossad to keep his accusers from going public or to keep them quiet. Weinstein hires celebrity defense attorney Ben Brafman.
Several US media outlets report that Weinstein will surrender to authorities in New York the following day, May 25, and that he is likely to be charged.
The exact charges are unknown, but the New York Daily News reports that he will face charges in connection with at least one of his accusers, onetime aspiring actress Lucia Evans, who says he forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004.
