Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with leukemia, U.S. media reports

Sources indicate that Harvey Weinstein is currently undergoing treatment in a New York prison, where he is serving his sentence following his conviction for sexual crimes.

Weinstein’s New York health representative, Craig Rothfeld, declined to comment on the reports, stating, “Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will not make any further statements.”

Chronic myeloid leukemia, according to the American Cancer Society, is a cancer that originates in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and affects the blood. Approximately 15% of adult leukemia cases fall into this category.

Weinstein, who is incarcerated at Rikers Island in New York, is awaiting additional trials for other sexual assault cases. He reportedly faces numerous health issues. Last September, he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital for heart surgery after experiencing severe chest pains. Earlier this year, in July, his representatives stated he was hospitalized for “a range of health issues,” including COVID-19 and pneumonia.

In addition, the former film producer suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid buildup around his heart and lungs, and other conditions.

Weinstein is serving a 16-year sentence following his conviction for rape in California. In 2020, he was convicted in New York for raping an actress and forcing oral sex on a production assistant, receiving a 23-year prison sentence. However, the New York Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in April, ruling that the trial judge wrongfully allowed testimony from witnesses unrelated to the charges against Weinstein. A retrial was initially scheduled for November, but prosecutors deemed it “unfeasible.”

The charges against Weinstein in 2017 sparked the MeToo movement, a landmark moment in the fight against sexual harassment. Over 80 women, including prominent actresses such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Judd, have accused Weinstein of harassment, sexual assault, or rape.

Weinstein maintains that all sexual relations were consensual.

Sources: ABC News, The Guardian

The post Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with leukemia, U.S. media reports appeared first on ProtoThema English.