Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, once a towering figure in the movie industry, finds himself in the midst of a health crisis following the recent overturning of his 2020 rape conviction in New York. Weinstein, aged 72, remains incarcerated, having been separately convicted of rape in Los Angeles. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, confirmed that Weinstein was transferred to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan on Saturday for medical tests, shedding light on the mogul’s deteriorating physical condition.”It seems like he needs a lot of help, physically. He’s got a lot of problems. He’s getting all kinds of tests. He’s somewhat of a train wreck health-wise,” Aidala revealed to The Associated Press.
Weinstein had been relocated from the Mohawk Correctional Facility to the Rikers Island jail complex just a day before his hospitalization. His legal team has previously disclosed his various health issues, including cardiac problems, diabetes, sleep apnea, and eye ailments. In 2020, he spent five days in the hospital due to heart complications and chest pains.
The downfall of Weinstein began with bombshell allegations in 2017, catalyzing the #MeToo movement as numerous women came forward with accusations against him and other powerful men. In 2020, he was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress, in 2013, resulting in a 23-year prison sentence.
However, last week, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s conviction, citing an unfair trial where evidence from accusers not directly related to the charges was allowed. Despite this legal victory, Weinstein’s California conviction for assaulting an Italian model and actress in 2013 stands, ensuring his continued incarceration.
The decision to overturn Weinstein’s conviction has sparked outrage among many of his accusers, including actress Ashley Judd, who denounced it as “an act of institutional betrayal.” Prosecutors have vowed to retry Weinstein on the same charges he was convicted for.
Weinstein has consistently maintained that any sexual encounters were consensual. Following the overturn, his lawyer hailed it as “a tremendous victory” and expressed readiness for a retrial, stating, “He’s been dying to tell his story from day one.”
However, dissenting voices, including Judges Madeline Singas and Anthony Cannataro, have raised concerns about the impact on women’s safety and justice.