Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, 72, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in New York City for emergency heart surgery on Sunday night.
According to Daily Mail Online, Weinstein was transferred from Rikers Island after complaining of chest pains. Weinstein's representatives, Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer confirmed that he underwent a procedure and surgery on his heart.
They stated that Weinstein suffers from multiple significant health issues requiring ongoing treatment and expressed gratitude to the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for their swift action in transferring him to the hospital.
Weinstein, who was found guilty on rape charges in February 2020, has been at the center of numerous legal battles in recent years. In April, the New York Court of Appeals overturned his conviction, citing an unfair trial due to the judge allowing testimony from accusers not formally charged in the case.
The former film producer has a history of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, and heart and lung issues. He also reportedly contracted COVID-19 and double pneumonia in the past.
Despite his health concerns, Weinstein is expected to appear in court later this week. Prosecutors are considering charging him with up to three additional sex assaults, including alleged incidents at the Tribeca Grand Hotel and in a Lower Manhattan residential building between late 2005 and mid-2006, as well as another alleged assault at a Tribeca Hotel in May 2016.
Weinstein remains in custody in New York while awaiting a retrial in Manhattan, tentatively scheduled for November 12. The retrial will focus on the original charges of forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and third-degree rape of an aspiring actor in 2013.
Following the retrial, Weinstein is set to serve a 16-year sentence in California for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022. The ongoing legal proceedings and health issues continue to keep Weinstein in the public eye years after the #MeToo movement brought his alleged misconduct to light.
Weinstein's representatives stated:
Mr. Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions. We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today. As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment.
Weinstein's case was pivotal in the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2017 when numerous women came forward with accounts of his behavior. The allegations against Weinstein sparked a wider conversation about sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry and beyond.
The ongoing legal proceedings against Weinstein continue to draw attention to issues of sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood. His case has inspired changes in industry practices and increased awareness of the prevalence of such misconduct.
As Weinstein's health issues and legal battles persist, the entertainment industry continues to grapple with the fallout from the #MeToo movement. The former producer's emergency heart surgery adds another chapter to his controversial legacy.
Weinstein's case remains a symbol of the fight against sexual misconduct in Hollywood, with his ongoing legal troubles serving as a reminder of the movement's impact and the challenges that remain in addressing these issues.
