Harvey Weinstein, the former film mogul awaiting trial in New York on rape and sexual assault charges, has been moved from Rikers Island jail to Bellevue Hospital for urgent medical treatment, his representatives announced Thursday. Weinstein, 72, has been diagnosed with Covid-19 and pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Weinstein’s health issues extend beyond these conditions; he is also being treated for diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, and fluid accumulation in his heart and lungs, according to a statement from Weinstein’s publicist, Juda Engelmayer. The information was provided by Craig Rothfeld, Weinstein’s prison consultant.
The transfer comes after Weinstein’s legal team highlighted his deteriorating health during a recent court hearing, requesting a hospital move. Weinstein has previously been admitted to Bellevue Hospital in connection with his legal proceedings.
Despite his conviction for rape and sexual assault in 2020, which was later overturned on appeal due to controversial testimony, Weinstein remains incarcerated. He is currently serving a 16-year sentence in California following a separate 2022 conviction for rape in Los Angeles. A retrial for his New York case is scheduled for November.
Weinstein has consistently denied all allegations of rape and sexual assault.
