Harvey Weinstein health update: Disgraced producer in ICU post-surgery
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced former Hollywood producer, underwent emergency heart surgery at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, New York City, on Monday. The 72-year-old was transferred from the Rikers Island jail complex late Sunday due to severe medical conditions, according to his publicist Juda Engelmayer and prison consultant Craig Rothfeld. The consultant later told the media that Weinstein was recuperating in the ICU and was in pain because of the procedure but not in a "critical condition."
Weinstein's case and the #MeToo movement
Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company film studios, was once a powerful figure in Hollywood. However, he became a central figure in the #MeToo movement in 2017 when numerous women publicly accused him of sexual misconduct. Over 100 people have made allegations against Weinstein, dating back to the late 1970s. Despite the overwhelming accusations, he has consistently maintained his innocence.
'This guy is going to die on your watch...'
Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, revealed that the move was prompted by his client's complaints of chest pain. Aidala reportedly warned jail officials about Weinstein's deteriorating health, stating, "This guy is going to die on your watch if you don't do something," according to The Guardian.
Weinstein's health issues and hospital visits
Weinstein has had a history of health issues, leading to multiple hospital visits. He has been in and out of Bellevue Hospital since his return to Rikers Island from state prison in April, following the overturning of his 2020 rape and sexual assault convictions by an appeals court. In July, he was hospitalized for a variety of health problems including COVID-19 and pneumonia in both lungs.
Overturned convictions and potential new charges
The state's Court of Appeals found that the judge in Weinstein's 2020 trial had unfairly allowed testimony from women whose claims were not part of the case. Last week, prosecutors revealed that they have started presenting evidence to a grand jury of up to three previously uncharged allegations against Weinstein, including two sexual assaults in the mid-2000s and another in 2016.
Weinstein's retrial and dropped charges
Weinstein is currently awaiting a retrial in Manhattan, tentatively scheduled to begin on November 12. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on September 12. The retrial will include allegations from the original trial, where Weinstein was convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and third-degree rape of an aspiring actor in 2013.
