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Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, widely linked to the #MeToo movement in 2018, has been diagnosed with cancer. Weinstein is battling chronic myeloid leukaemia and is currently receiving medical care while serving his sentence at Rikers Island in New York, as per NBC News. Chronic myeloid leukaemia, a rare bone marrow cancer, was highlighted by the Mayo Clinic. This diagnosis follows Weinstein’s recent health struggles, including emergency heart surgery last month and a July diagnosis of COVID-19 along with double pneumonia.
Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with rare form of bone marrow cancer
According to a report in Variety, Weinstein has chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of bone marrow cancer. Weinstein’s spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said in a statement, “Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein’s authorised legal healthcare representative in New York State, expresses profound dismay at the speculation surrounding Mr Weinstein’s medical condition.
“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 statement further reads.
Harvey Weinstein underwent heart surgery in September
The 72-year-old movie producer recently appeared in a Manhattan court in September, his first time after undergoing heart surgery. He was wheeled in by courthouse security guards in a wheelchair and pleaded not guilty to the additional criminal sex act charge he was indicted on a week prior in New York. His lawyer Arthur Aidala claimed that the disgraced movie producer “almost died” following emergency heart surgery. The former movie tycoon had previously been hospitalised during the summer for other issues including diabetes, and contracted Covid and double pneumonia while in the hospital.
ALSO READ: Harvey Weinstein Charged With New Rape Crimes After Reversal Of Conviction
Court overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction
In April, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction. The appeals court ruled that Weinstein’s original trial erred by allowing three additional accusers to testify about their own assault allegations when they should not have been permitted. Their testimonies were prejudiced against Weinstein and didn’t shed any light on the charges he faced; the appeals court vacated the conviction and ordered a retrial. The new trial was tentatively set for November, but it’s now eying an early 2025 date.
After becoming one of the most-accused figures of the #MeToo movement, Weinstein has continued to deny that he assaulted or raped anyone.
(With IANS inputs)