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.
"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.
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."
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.
