Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with cancer just weeks before retrial on rape and sex assault charges

Harvey Weinstein, 70, has been diagnosed with a serious illness as the disgraced movie producer is facing new charges for alleged sexual misconduct

Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul, is reportedly battling a serious illness while facing new charges. According to NBC News sources, Harvey has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.

This news comes in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which was ignited by allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Insiders told NBC News that the fallen film producer is receiving treatment at Rikers Island prison in New York.

The National Cancer Institute describes his condition as a "type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells." Craig Rothfeld, Harvey's legal healthcare representative, stated: "Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein's privacy, we will offer no further comment."

The 72-year-old Weinstein, who has also battled COVID-19 and double pneumonia, is awaiting retrial. His health issues have coincided with his ongoing legal battle with Manhattan prosecutors, who are seeking to combine new charges with past ones for trial, according to NBC News, reports the Mirror US.

Harvey's 23-year sentence in New York was reversed earlier this year while he was serving time. The appeal court highlighted that the previous trial was tainted with issues, notably the judge's decision allowing testimonies from women about uncharged allegations.

Still, Harvey faced concurrent conviction for rape in Los Angeles in 2022 and got a 16 year sentence. His legal squad is already aiming to overturn this.

With the rape retrial slated for early July, Harvey's team, hungry for an earlier court battle, suggested an expedited schedule if the grand jury proceedings are swift, as per their conversation with Judge Farber. "[Harvey] is anxious to go to trial and prove his innocence," professed one of his lawyers post-hearing according to AP News, as reported by The Sun.

Harvey, looking impassive and confined to a wheelchair, made no expression as he entered the Manhattan courtroom, where his retrial date was on the agenda.

Harvey's health has been deteriorating in recent months. Last month, he was rushed to hospital for emergency heart surgery.T he 72-year-old underwent open heart surgery at Bellevue Hospital in New York on Monday after his lawyer warned Rikers Island jail bosses he would "die on your watch if you don't do something."

His prison consultant, Craig Rothfeld, confirmed he was in ICU and was in “pain from the procedure”. The movie producer is “still dealing with several other serious health issues which need to be addressed”, Rothfeld added.

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