NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul, has been hospitalized in Manhattan for medical tests following a recent court ruling overturning his 2020 rape conviction, his lawyer stated on Saturday. Attorney Arthur Aidala revealed that Weinstein was transported to Bellevue Hospital after his arrival in the city jails on Friday.
Weinstein’s hospitalization came after the New York Court of Appeals voided his conviction due to concerns that jurors were exposed to excessive evidence unrelated to the charges he faced, leading to the erasure of his 23-year prison sentence and a retrial order. Prosecutors have expressed their intentions to retry Weinstein for allegations of forcing oral sex on a production assistant in 2006 and raping an aspiring actor in 2013.
Despite the nullification of his 2020 conviction, Weinstein remains in custody at Bellevue as he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 for another rape, receiving a 16-year prison sentence. The 72-year-old has been suffering from various health issues, including heart problems, diabetes, sleep apnea, and eye ailments.
According to Aidala, Weinstein’s physical condition is deteriorating, but mentally he remains sharp. The attorney criticized the treatment Weinstein received during his transfer to New York City, claiming he was denied basic necessities like water and food. State corrections officials have yet to comment on Aidala’s accusations regarding Weinstein’s treatment.
Weinstein is expected to undergo numerous medical tests at Bellevue before he can be returned to the Rikers Island jail complex. Aidala plans to meet with Weinstein on Monday and will argue in court for a retrial postponement until after Labor Day. The legal team is adamant about ensuring Weinstein receives appropriate care during his time in custody.