Harvey Weinstein Returned to Rikers Island Jail After Hospital Stay

Harvey Weinstein, the once-powerful movie mogul, has been returned to a New York City jail after a report surfaced claiming he was receiving VIP treatment during his hospital stay. Weinstein was moved from Bellevue Hospital to an infirmary at Rikers Island jail complex late Monday, according to his publicist Juda Engelmeyer.

The move came after The City, a nonprofit news outlet, reported that Weinstein was staying in a private room in the hospital’s intensive care unit with amenities like a television, phone, and bathroom, rather than the standard inmate housing area. Engelmeyer disputed this claim, stating that Weinstein was not receiving preferential treatment and was housed on the floor for inmates with access to phones and a television room.

Weinstein was initially transferred to Bellevue Hospital after his conviction was vacated by the New York Court of Appeals. The court ruled that jurors were exposed to evidence unrelated to the charges he faced, leading to a new trial being ordered. Despite this, Weinstein remains in jail due to a separate conviction in Los Angeles for rape, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

While prosecutors are seeking a retrial in New York, it is uncertain if key witnesses will return. Weinstein has denied the allegations against him. The decision to return Weinstein to Rikers was made by medical staff, according to Craig Rothfeld, a jail consultant working with Weinstein’s attorneys.

Weinstein was being treated for pneumonia and other medical issues at Bellevue, including heart troubles and diabetes. Engelmeyer stated that Weinstein was disappointed to return to Rikers and described his housing there as more like an infirmary. Despite the appeals ruling bringing some relief, Weinstein is aware of the long road ahead in his legal battles.

Overall, Weinstein’s spirits are up, but he understands the challenges he faces in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates on his case as it unfolds.