Harvey Weinstein Gets His Wish For A Temporary Exit From Rikers Island

It appears things are finally looking up for Harvey Weinstein, who recently scored another legal victory after last year's successful appeal.

The disgraced film producer pushed to get himself transferred out of Rikers Island prison over allegations of horrific living conditions and the mismanagement of his health issues. His demands didn't end there, with talks of a $5 million compensation.

Although the monetary compensation has not been granted, Harvey Weinstein's legal team successfully earned him his freedom from prison.

According to new reports, a judge signed off on Weinstein's pleas to be transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital until his upcoming retrial hearing.

The legal umpire granted him temporary freedom on Thursday, April 17, thanks to the film producer's attorney, Imran Ansari, and his Prison Consultant and authorized New York State healthcare consultant, Craig Rothfeld.

Weinstein will remain at the medical center pending his hearing, which is scheduled for April 24 at 2:15 PM ET. His 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned following a successful appeal, resulting in the upcoming retrial hearing.

TMZ reported the jury selection for the upcoming hearing in New York City began earlier this week. Weinstein fell from grace in 2017 with dozens of women accusing him of sexual abuse, rape, and harassment.

These allegations sparked the #MeToo Movement and the "Weinstein effect" as more powerful men in the industry were accused of similar crimes.

The Blast covered Weinstein's petition to be transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital, reporting that his legal team demanded $5 million in damages from the medical center.

Despite having a history with the hospital, which treated him repeatedly in the past year, Weinstein listed them as part of the offenders in his transfer petition. He slammed them for releasing him back to prison before he had fully recovered.

The $5 million compensation also affected the City of New York and its relevant agencies, with Weinstein arguing that he suffered physically and psychologically over his "horrific" treatment in prison. He blamed Rikers Island for health-damaging living conditions.

Weinstein's lawyers stressed that he must be transferred to the medical center because Rikers lacked the necessities to treat him. They claimed the prison had grossly mismanaged his already deteriorating health, accusing the medical staff of failing to provide him with proper healthcare.

Weinstein's legal reps accused Rikers' medical staff of several problems, including misdiagnosing at least one condition. The film producer's attorney, Imran H. Ansari, echoed similar sentiments in a statement, implying the mismanagement of his client's alleged ailments could have fatal consequences.

The list of problems plaguing Weinstein included cancer, diabetes, extensive coronary artery disease, and chest pain due to lowered levels of blood flowing to the heart. His ailments continued with obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid issues, obesity, chronic lower back and leg pain, anemia, hypertension, and more.

According to Weinstein's attorney, Rikers Prison's poor living conditions did a serious number to his health. He alleged his client lived in "freezing" temperatures without clean clothes, which worsened his declining health.

The aftermath saw Weinstein suffering from COVID-19, double pneumonia, and a recent surgery to alleviate the fluid buildup in his heart and lungs. Ansari also took shots at NYC officials, noting they played a part in his client's pain.

The legal rep explained that he tried to get Weinstein transferred from Rikers to Bellevue Hospital. However, his repeated pleas were brushed aside as NYC officials allegedly ignored him. Ansari doubled down on the transfer being crucial to Weinstein's life, insisting it could prevent his premature death.

Weinstein's alleged problems behind bars first made waves following a complaint from his rep, Juda Engelmayer. The media personality's spokesperson claimed the convicted sex offender had gained significant weight since his incarceration.

The rep noted he gained over 25 pounds since his transfer from Bellevue Hospital, with nearly 19 pounds gained in the past month. Engelmayer stressed that this wasn't a small problem because of Weinstein's existing diabetes and heart issues.

Engelmayer's complaints about Rikers' poor living conditions continued with claims that Weinstein had suffered severe tongue inflammation. This condition worried the rep because it allegedly affected his ability to swallow, sparking choking concerns.

Given Harvey Weinstein's recent streak of luck, can he score his $5 million compensation demand?