Hollywood mega-mogul — and, now, convicted sex offender — Harvey Weinstein, was taken to Bellevue Hospital in New York City Monday night while en route to his new temporary home, Rikers Island prison.
Weinstein reportedly complained of chest pains and heart palpatations while being transferred to Rikers. The police escort taking him to prison following his convinction on two counts of criminal sexual assault, was rerouted to Bellevue where Weinstein was treated for heart issues and high blood pressure, and where Weinstein remained under observation Monday morning, according to local news outlets.
“Weinstein was admitted and ‘is OK,’ his attorney said,” per the local Fox affiliate. “He is expected to be transferred to the correctional facility once he’s released.”
“The city Department of Correction had no comment other than to say Weinstein was remanded and transferred into custody,” NBC News reported.
Rikers Island also has medical facilities to provide Weinstein with longterm care, if necessary. Bellevue provides much of the jail’s emergency and critical care and is also known for its infamous inpatient psychiatric program.
Weinstein was convicted of one count of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree and one count of committing rape in the third degree, but was acquitted on three other counts: two charges of predatory sexual assault and first degree rape. The jury deliberated for five days but reportedly deadlocked on the two charges of predatory sexual assault, because the two charges involved finding that Weinstein had a history of sexual assault — something the jury apparently did not believe prosecutors established, despite calling a number of witnesses who testified to Weinstein’s predatory habits, which they claimed dated back well into the 1990s.
Upon hearing that he had been convicted on two of the charges, Weinstein made clear that that outcome was unexpected, shouting about the unfairness of the situation.
“The words he said over and over again to me is, ‘I’m innocent, I’m innocent, I’m innocent. How could this happen in America?” his attorney said in a press conference following the announcement. He added that the “fallen mogul was stunned by the guilty verdict,” according to Variety magazine.
Weinstein faces between 5 and 25 years in prison for his crimes and is due to be sentenced on March 11. He will spend the intermediate time in jail — a significant change for the multi-millionaire who served even his time in “rehab” at a posh facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was allowed out to dine with friends at restaurants.
His attorneys were reportedly shocked that the judge remanded Weinstein, who had been out on $2 million bond prior to Monday’s verdict, straight to prison. “His attorney, Donna Rotunno, urged the judge to allow [Weinstein] to remain free, saying that he recently had unsuccessful back surgery and requires shots in order to keep from going blind. Weinstein appeared in court most days with a walker, which his attorneys said was a result of his lingering back issues,” per Variety.
Weinstein will, at least, get one reprieve: he is due to stand trial on similar charges in Los Angeles and California later in the spring and will likely be allowed to be present at that trial.
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