Harvey Weinstein has been hospitalized following what has been described by his legal representation as an "alarming blood test." The 72-year-old former film producer, whose previous rape conviction was overturned, was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan yesterday for what his attorney, Imran Ansari, described as "emergent treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention." As of now, Weinstein is expected to stay in the hospital until his condition is stable, according to The Independent.
This incident comes amidst Weinstein's claims, filed through his legal team last week, alleging substandard medical care while he was housed at New York City's Rikers Island correctional facility. According to the same statement provided to The Independent, Ansari has reported finding Weinstein in what he likened to "gulag" conditions with blood spatter on his prison garb and without clean underwear, a concern given Weinstein's severe medical conditions, which include chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes. The New York City's Department of Correction has yet to issue a statement in response to these claims.
It's worth noting that Rikers Island has been the focus of extensive critiques over the treatment and conditions faced by its detainees, prompting a federal judge to recently allow for the possibility of a federal takeover of the facility. This action was taken because the city was deemed to have subjected its incarcerated individuals to "unconstitutional danger," as reported by The Independent.
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein's publicist, reiterated the severity of Weinstein's health issues in a statement provided to CBS News, contending that "Mr. Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukemia, has been deprived the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not." Engelmayer goes on to argue that this alleged mistreatment amounts to "cruel and unusual punishment." Weinstein's case is scheduled for a retrial in 2025, and he continues to deny any wrongdoing in the interim.
