Harvey Weinstein, the former movie mogul, has been hospitalized in New York City for a series of tests after his return following an appeals court ruling that overturned his 2020 rape conviction. Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, revealed that his client was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after arriving in the city on Friday. Aidala expressed concern about Weinstein’s health, stating that he has various physical issues that require attention. The exact nature of Weinstein’s ailments was not specified, but Aidala mentioned cardiac problems, diabetes, sleep apnea, and eye issues.
The New York Court of Appeals recently nullified Weinstein’s conviction, citing the inclusion of unrelated evidence in the trial and ordering a retrial. Prosecutors have indicated that they plan to retry Weinstein on charges related to allegations of forcible oral sex and rape. Despite the appeals ruling in New York, Weinstein remains in custody due to a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022, which resulted in a 16-year prison sentence. Weinstein’s health has been a concern for some time, and Aidala emphasized that his mental acuity is intact despite his physical ailments.
Aidala reported that Weinstein was transferred without proper treatment from an upstate jail to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors are conducting various tests to assess his condition. The lawyer criticized the treatment Weinstein received during the transfer, alleging that he was denied water, food, and bathroom breaks despite being a 72-year-old with health issues. Aidala plans to meet with Weinstein on Monday and advocate for a retrial to be scheduled after Labor Day. Weinstein’s well-being and medical needs are currently being addressed at Bellevue, with the expectation that he will eventually be returned to the Rikers Island jail complex once his health has stabilized.
The precise timeline for Weinstein’s release from Bellevue and his return to the prison system is uncertain, as doctors need to complete their assessments to determine the next steps. Despite his physical challenges, Aidala expressed confidence in Weinstein’s mental state, describing him as “sharp as a tack” and grounded. The legal proceedings surrounding Weinstein’s case are expected to continue, with the possibility of a retrial looming on the horizon. The saga of the disgraced producer’s legal battles continues to unfold, as he navigates the complex landscape of the criminal justice system amidst his deteriorating health.
