Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.
Weinstein, currently serving a combined 39-year prison sentence for r*pe and sexual assault, has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Weinstein's spokesperson confirmed the diagnosis, expressing frustration over the public revelation of his medical condition.
Harvey Weinstein. Credit: Pool / Getty
"Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein’s authorized legal healthcare representative in New York State, expresses profound dismay at the speculation surrounding Mr. Weinstein’s medical condition," said Juda Engelmayer, in a statement to Variety.
Engelmayer further emphasized the inappropriateness of the disclosure, adding: "It is both troubling and unacceptable that such private and confidential health matters have become a subject of public discourse. Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will offer no further comment."
Weinstein, 71, last appeared in a Manhattan courtroom in September, marking his first public appearance since undergoing heart surgery.
Arriving in a wheelchair, he pleaded not guilty to an additional criminal sex act charge, which had been added just a week prior.
His attorney, Arthur Aidala, revealed that Weinstein had previously undergone emergency heart surgery and claimed he had "almost died" as a result.
In addition to his heart issues, Weinstein had also been hospitalized over the summer for various health complications, including diabetes, COVID-19, and double pneumonia.
Weinstein is currently serving a prison sentence for his 2020 r*pe conviction in New York, which was overturned earlier this year.
Weinstein has been diagnosed with cancer. Credit: Kena Betancur-Pool/Getty
The New York Court of Appeals vacated the conviction with a narrow 4-3 decision, ruling that the inclusion of testimony from additional accusers, who were not part of the original case, had unfairly prejudiced the jury.
The overturned conviction had included charges of a criminal sex act for forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant, as well as third-degree r*pe of an aspiring actress.
However, despite the court’s decision, Weinstein remains incarcerated due to a separate conviction in Los Angeles.
In 2022, Weinstein was found guilty of another r*pe in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
That case involved the r*pe of an actress, identified as Jane Doe 1, at a Beverly Hills hotel in 2013.
During the trial, the victim, an Italian actress and model, described the devastating impact of the assault on her life, saying: "Before that night, I was a very happy and confident woman.
"I valued myself and the relationship I had with God. I was excited about my future. Everything changed after the defendant brutally assaulted me. There is no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage."
Weinstein maintains his innocence. Credit: Scott Heins/Getty
Despite his ongoing legal challenges and health issues, Weinstein has continued to plead his innocence.
During his Los Angeles trial, he told the court: "Please don't sentence me to life in prison. I don't deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case... This is a setup. This is not the way to act in this situation. I beg your mercy."
Weinstein’s 2020 conviction in New York was considered a landmark moment in the #MeToo movement, which emboldened women to come forward with stories of sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry.
While the legal battles continue, a tentative new trial date has been set for November of this year, though it's now expected to take place next year.