Disgraced former film producer Harvey Weinstein, 72, was rushed from a New York prison to a hospital for emergency heart surgery on Monday, according to US media reports.
Weinstein’s representatives confirmed the news to ABC News, stating that he was transferred to Bellevue Hospital due to “several medical conditions.” In a joint statement, his representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer said, “We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today, but we cannot comment further.”
Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year sentence at Rikers Island following his conviction on rape charges in a California court. He was previously sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2020 by a New York court after being found guilty of raping actor Jessica Mann and forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant.
In a surprising turn of events, the New York court’s conviction was overturned in April, a significant development in one of the pivotal cases of the #MeToo movement. Weinstein now awaits a retrial in the New York case, with the possibility of new sexual assault charges being brought against him ahead of the proceedings.
Weinstein’s health has reportedly deteriorated in prison, and his lawyer, Arthur Aidala, noted that his diabetes and overall condition have worsened. “He’s not a young man, and his health is failing,” Aidala said. Weinstein has made several court appearances in a wheelchair, appearing frail.
The allegations against Weinstein in 2017 ignited the #MeToo movement, a powerful force in the fight against sexual misconduct. More than 80 women, including notable figures like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd, accused him of sexual assault, harassment, or rape. Weinstein, however, has maintained that any encounters were consensual.
Weinstein, along with his brother Bob, co-founded Miramax Films in 1979, producing several acclaimed films like Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, and There Will Be Blood.
