Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced former movie mogul, has been hospitalized in New York City for a battery of tests after his return from an upstate jail following the nullification of his 2020 rape conviction. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, revealed that Weinstein was moved to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after his arrival on Friday.
Aidala expressed concern for Weinstein’s health, stating, “It seems like he needs a lot of help, physically. He’s got a lot of problems. He’s somewhat of a train wreck health wise.” Weinstein, who is 72 years old, has been dealing with various health issues including cardiac problems, diabetes, sleep apnea, and eye problems.
The New York Court of Appeals recently vacated Weinstein’s conviction, citing that the trial judge allowed jurors to see and hear evidence not directly related to the charges he faced. As a result, his 23-year prison sentence was erased, and a retrial was ordered. Prosecutors have indicated their intention to retry Weinstein on charges of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant in 2006 and raping an aspiring actor in 2013.
Weinstein, who is also serving a 16-year sentence in Los Angeles for another rape conviction, remains in custody. Aidala mentioned that Weinstein’s mental state is sharp, but his physical ailments require medical attention. Doctors at Bellevue Hospital are conducting tests before he can be returned to the Rikers Island jail complex.
Aidala plans to meet with Weinstein on Monday and advocate for a retrial to occur after Labor Day. The lawyer criticized the treatment Weinstein received during his transfer, claiming that he was denied water, food, and bathroom breaks. The saga of Harvey Weinstein continues as he navigates the legal system amidst ongoing health challenges.