UK tabloid The Daily Star reported that Harvey Weinstein was allegedly transferred to Bellevue hospital in Manhattan after his conviction.
The former movie mogul, according to the report, was sent to the hospital instead of prison, after declaring that he had ‘chest pain’.
The former top Hollywood producer was convicted of rape and sexual assault against two women and was subsequently led to prison in handcuffs on Monday in what accusers and legal observers are calling a landmark moment for the judiciary system.
Although Weinstein was acquitted of two counts of predatory sexual assault - which carry a possible life sentence - and one count of first-degree rape, he can still be jailed for up to 29 years on charges that he has been found guilty.
AP reported that Weinstein was transferred to a locked unit at Bellevue Hospital from the courthouse, in what is believed to be a “precautionary measure.”
Judge James Burke also said he would ask that the convicted film studio boss, who has been on bail since his May 2018 arrest, be placed in the jail's infirmary, as Weinstein’s attorneys claim he needs medical attention because of unsuccessful surgery on his back.
Rumour of Weinstein’s sexual misconduct circulated for years before erupting into the open in 2017 after a surprisingly large group of actresses accused him of multiple sexual crimes. Over 90 women, including leading Hollywood actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd, Uma Thurman and Mira Sorvino were plaintiffs in a trial that has purportedly led to the total annihilation of the producer’s career.
The Weinstein case gave life to the #MeToo, movement, encouraging women to speak up and hold men - not only those in power - accountable for their sexual misconduct.
