Harvey Weinstein's Rep Slams Prison Condition For Alleged 'Rapidly Deteriorating' Health

Harvey Weinstein's health is seemingly failing him; at least, that is what his rep is saying.

The convicted sex offender is reportedly in a bad state in prison, with his health declining every day due to his poor living conditions behind bars.

Harvey Weinstein's latest health report comes months after he was indicted on a fresh set of sexual assault charges in New York last year.

Weinstein's health is reportedly deteriorating rapidly while he is incarcerated at Rikers Island. His representative, Juda Engelmayer, shared concerns about his worsening condition.

Engelmayer highlighted that he gained significant weight, totaling over 25 pounds, since his transfer from Bellevue Hospital, with nearly 19 pounds gained in the past month.

This increase poses serious risks to his existing diabetes and heart issues. In addition, Weinstein is also suffering from severe tongue inflammation, which impairs his ability to swallow and raises fears of choking.

Currently, he is back at Bellevue for treatment. Engelmayer also noted ongoing problems such as missed and delayed medications and unaddressed chest palpitations.

Per TMZ, his rep also noted a lack of support for Weinstein's mobility challenges, all contributing to what they describe as a medical crisis that urgently needs attention.

Weinstein's living condition at Rikers Island is nothing to write home about either. Inmates are reportedly enduring freezing temperatures, a lack of clean clothing, and inadequate food, all of which are exacerbating his health issues. 

Over the past year, the actor has experienced serious health complications, including multiple hospitalizations for double pneumonia, a leukemia diagnosis, and heart surgery. Despite these challenges, Weinstein continues to assert his innocence following his 2022 conviction for rape and other crimes. 

Recently, he has spoken out from jail, advocating for himself while linking his situation to that of actor Justin Baldoni. He criticized The New York Times for allegedly manipulating information to shape narratives surrounding his case and Baldoni's legal battle with Blake Lively.

Last year, reports by The Blast noted that the convicted Hollywood producer was diagnosed with cancer, specifically chronic myeloid leukemia. 

The news came shortly after he underwent significant heart surgery in September, a month that also saw him facing new sexual assault charges in New York.

While Weinstein's representatives have not confirmed or denied these health claims, they have expressed strong disapproval of the public discussions surrounding his condition.

Craig Rothfeld, Weinstein's authorized healthcare representative in New York, criticized the speculation, calling it troubling and unacceptable.

He emphasized the need for privacy regarding Weinstein's health matters and stated that no further comments would be made out of respect for his confidentiality.

A month before his reported cancer diagnosis, reports revealed that Weinstein had successfully undergone heart surgery at Bellevue Hospital in New York.

Rothfeld and Engelmayer confirmed that he was in a "weak" state and needed to rest after the operation. They did not specify what led to the medical emergency but reiterated that Weinstein has numerous major health problems requiring ongoing treatment.

The heart procedure took place while he awaited a retrial for his 2020 conviction, which included first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape. His 23-year prison sentence was vacated following an appeal in April 2024.

Weinstein's brief sense of victory following his appeal was short-lived, as he faced new indictments last September. A grand jury in New York permitted Manhattan prosecutors to bring additional sex-related charges against him, although the specifics of these charges were initially sealed. 

During a hearing, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo unveiled details about the allegations, revealing that one victim was assaulted at the Tribeca Grand Hotel.

Another incident reportedly occurred during the winter of 2005 to 2006 at a residential building in either Tribeca or SoHo. A third alleged assault took place in May 2016 at a hotel in Tribeca. 

The disgraced producer was, however, absent in court for the indictment due to undergoing emergency heart surgery. Judge Curtis Farber permitted him to recover at the Bellevue Hospital's prison ward instead of returning to Rikers Island. 

His attorney, Arthur Aidala, maintained that Weinstein, at 72 years old, was not fit to go back to prison, citing medical issues, including a shunt in his chest and the need for artificial oxygen.

Aidala argued that keeping Weinstein at Bellevue was crucial for monitoring his health, which would not be adequately ensured at Rikers Island.

Will the recent development with Harvey Weinstein's health change the course of his case?