Convicted serial rapist Harvey Weinstein has asked to see an off-site dentist for a dental "emergency," as he requires several decaying molars to be surgically removed.
In a plea to a Los Angeles Judge on Wednesday, the disgraced former film producer told the court that the situation "is an emergency," adding: "I will pay for the dentist … it will be one trip and one trip only."
The wheelchair-bound 70-year-old - who is currently serving 23 years on a range of sex charges - is in a Los Angeles prison awaiting an October 10 trial for further sex crime charges against five women.
Superior Court Judge, Lisa Lench, questioned why Weinstein had not managed to have his dental issues rectified, despite visiting his prison's medical wing on two separate occasions, the New York Post reported.
His lawyer, Mark Werksman, told the court that the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where Weinstein is being held - offered him two options: To remove the teeth without replacement or to allow them to rot, per the Washington Times. Evidently, Weinstein's legal team believe there is no other option but to receive treatment from outside the prison.
"I'm in pain every day. I have cavities and I can't eat because I'm missing teeth," Weinstein, who has produced top movies such as Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction, said in court. He added that he needed false teeth fitted to help him look more presentable in court.
The New York Post reported that, on behalf of his client, Werksman said denying Weinstein's much needed dental care was in breach of his constitutional rights, and that his missing teeth make him look "ridiculous."
Weinstein informed the court that he would personally pay for transport both to and from the dental surgery, as well as pay any further costs associated. However, the judge advised the ex-producer that this type of request is fairly uncommon, telling Werksman to provide her with detailed documentation regarding the dental care for her review. She further added that she did not agree with Werksman's statement that his client's missing teeth made him look "ridiculous."
The original purpose of the trial was for the prosecution to request that two Italy-based witnesses to testify by video in Weinstein's upcoming trial. One of the witnesses worked for one of Weinstein's accusers and her family, per the Daily Mail.
The New York native has already served close to two years of his 23 year prison term - having been sentenced in 2020 for forcibly performing oral sex on a Project Runway production assistant named Miriam Haleyi in 2006, and for sexually assaulting hairstylist Jessica Mann in 2013.
In August, a New York court accepted Weinstein's request for an appeal, which will see him argue that he received an unfair trial.
