Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced film producer, is 72 years old and was hospitalized for emergency heart surgery after being transferred from a New York prison, according to US media reports.
ABC News cited Weinstein’s representatives stating that he was taken to New York’s Bellevue Hospital due to health issues. His spokespersons, Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer, confirmed that Weinstein underwent a procedure and surgery on his heart but refrained from providing details.
Weinstein is currently incarcerated at Rikers Island, serving a 16-year sentence following his conviction on rape charges in California. Additionally, in 2020, a New York court found him guilty of raping and sexually assaulting actress Jessica Mann and forcing oral sex on a production assistant, leading to a 23-year prison sentence.
However, in April, an appeals court overturned that conviction, marking a shocking turn of events in one of the cases that defined the #MeToo movement. He is now awaiting retrial in that case.
Prosecutors are considering bringing charges against him before the retrial. Meanwhile, Weinstein was scheduled to appear at a hearing related to the case on Thursday. His legal team is also pushing for a retrial in the California case.
Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s attorney mentioned in July that his health was declining in custody. The once influential film producer has been seen in court using a wheelchair and appearing frail and pale. Aidala remarked “He’s not a man. He’s an ailing individual. His diabetes is worsening.”
In 2017 the allegations against Weinstein played a role in sparking the #MeToo movement, a significant turning point, for women combating misconduct. Over 80 women have accused him of harassment, sexual assault or rape, including well known actresses like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd.
Weinstein maintains that any sexual encounters in question were consensual. He and his brother Bob established Miramax Films in 1979 a prominent Hollywood studio responsible for hits such as “Pulp Fiction,” “There Will Be Blood” and “Shakespeare in Love.”
