Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer, is currently battling chronic myeloid leukemia while imprisoned at Rikers Island in New York, according to two sources who spoke to NBC News.
Weinstein’s legal healthcare representative, Craig Rothfeld, stated on October 21, “Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will offer no further comment.”
Chronic myeloid leukemia originates in the cells of the bone marrow and can spread to the bloodstream, accounting for 15 percent of adult leukemia cases, as reported by the American Cancer Society.
At 72 years old, Weinstein has faced numerous health challenges since his incarceration in 2018, stemming from sexual assault allegations that emerged during the #MeToo movement.
These challenges include heart surgery in 2020 and hospitalization for COVID-19 and double pneumonia in July. As of September, he was reported to be taking 19 different medications.
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison following his 2020 rape conviction.
However, his conviction was overturned in April, leading to a court-ordered new trial. His lawyer hailed the decision as a victory for all criminal defendants in New York.
Despite this ruling, Weinstein remains in custody due to a separate 16-year sentence handed down in 2023 for a rape case in Los Angeles, which his legal team is currently appealing.
Also read: Fans Hold Vigils Worldwide To Mourn Liam Payne’s Tragic Death