Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with colon cancer
Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with cancer, The Post has learned.
Weinstein, 72, who is awaiting a second trial on sex crimes charges, was diagnosed in the past month, sources say. It’s unclear what his prognosis is, or how it will affect the legal proceedings against him.
A representative for the former producer first denied the diagnosis when reached by The Post Monday night before condemning “speculation” around his health status.
“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,” the rep said in a statement. “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.”
The type of cancer is believed to be chronic myeloid leukemia, according to NBC News, which first broke the news. Weinstein is receiving treatment at Rikers, sourcs told the outlet.
Once one of the top producers in the movie biz, Weinstein fell from grace as the #MeToo movement gained ground around him and dozens of women came forward, accusing him of sexual assault.
Several actresses claimed that he retaliated against women who spurned his advances, often derailing their careers.
Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape.
He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, but his conviction was overturned on appeal in April.
He remains in prison while he appeals a separate 2022 conviction for three sexual assault charges. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for that case.
Weinstein, who underwent emergency heart surgery in September, is facing a retrial on the 2020 case, and was recently slapped with another charge of first-degree criminal sexual act after prosecutors allege that he forcibly performed oral sex on a woman once in a lower Manhattan hotel room sometime between April 29, 2006 and May 6 of that year.
Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to the new charge last month.
Additional reporting by David Propper.
