Harvey Weinstein has been hospitalized for a “myriad of health conditions” and has also contracted COVID-19 and double pneumonia, according to his representative.
Weinstein, 72, was transferred to the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward in Manhattan, his representative and prison consultant, Craig Rothfeld, said Thursday.
Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Supreme Court as Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg prepares to file new charges in the rape case against him on July 9, 2024 in New York City.
Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images, FILE
He is being “treated for the myriad of health conditions that he is still afflicted with on a daily basis such as diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and various other conditions,” Rothfeld said.
“In addition, Mr. Weinstein tested positive for COVID and contracted double pneumonia in his lungs,” Rothfeld said.
Weinstein is currently awaiting retrial in Manhattan on sex crime charges after his conviction was overturned on appeal in April. He is tentatively set to be retried in November.
Prosecutors accused the disgraced movie mogul earlier this month of raping more women than those included in his previous prosecution.
Weinstein has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, and his attorneys have expressed skepticism about any new accusers.
He is separately fighting a rape conviction in Los Angeles, where his defense attorneys argued he lacked a fair trial. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in that case.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer who was recently convicted of rape and sexual assault, has been transferred to a hospital for treatment of COVID-19 and double pneumonia, according to his representative.
Weinstein, 68, was serving a 23-year prison sentence at the Wende Correctional Facility in upstate New York when he began experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus. He was tested for COVID-19 and the results came back positive. In addition to the virus, Weinstein also developed double pneumonia, a serious condition that affects both lungs.
His representative, Juda Engelmayer, confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “It should come as no surprise that Mr. Weinstein has contracted this very dangerous virus as it is in the facility – and has been there for some time – and its spread is inevitable.”
Weinstein’s health has been a concern since his conviction in February, as he has a history of heart problems and other medical issues. His lawyers have been fighting for his release on bail or house arrest due to his poor health, but their requests have been denied by the courts.
The news of Weinstein’s hospitalization comes at a time when prisons across the country are grappling with outbreaks of COVID-19. Inmates are particularly vulnerable to the virus due to close quarters and limited access to proper hygiene and medical care.
Weinstein’s case has been a focal point of the #MeToo movement, which has brought attention to sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry and beyond. His conviction was seen as a victory for survivors of sexual violence, many of whom came forward with their own stories of abuse after his downfall.
As Weinstein battles COVID-19 and pneumonia in the hospital, his future remains uncertain. His legal team is expected to continue fighting for his release on medical grounds, but it remains to be seen whether he will be granted any leniency given the severity of his crimes.
In the meantime, the news of Weinstein’s hospitalization serves as a reminder of the ongoing public health crisis and the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, including inmates, during these difficult times.
