Harvey Weinstein accuses Rikers Island of substandard medical treatment, unhygienic conditions in legal claim
New York — Lawyers for Harvey Weinstein filed a legal complaint against New York City on Tuesday, claiming he was undergoing substandard medical care While detained at Rikers Island, conditions were unsanitary.
The notice of claim is the first step in a lawsuit alleging the agency failed to manage the former movie mogul’s medical conditions, which included: chronic myelogenous leukemia and diabetes, as well as neglect ranging from “cold” conditions to lack of clean clothes.
The city’s Law Department and Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“When I last visited him I noticed there were blood stains on his prison uniform, possibly from an IV, the clothes had not been washed for weeks and he had not even been provided with clean underwear – for someone with a serious illness “The sanitary conditions are too poor for people,” Weinstein’s lawyer, Imran H. Ansari, said in a statement, likening the facility to a “gulag.”
Law claims Weinstein returned to Rikers prematurely after hospitalization
Weinstein, 72, has been detained by the city since earlier this yearthe following Court of Appeal rules his 2020 rape conviction invalid in the state. Case Scheduled to retry in 2025. Weinstein has Denies any wrongdoing.
Weinstein was Brief hospitalization in April and July again For health issues. His team said he has been treated for diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, COVID-19 and fluid in his heart and lungs.
The legal claim seeks $5 million in damages, saying he was sent back to Rikers each time before fully recovering.
After Weinstein’s conviction, his film production company entered bankruptcy proceedings and established a $17 million fund for sexual misconduct claims.
Rikers Island Prison Expected to close in 2027but this city has postpone deadline.
