Harvey Weinstein Doubles Down On Innocence Anthem Ahead Of Retrial Verdict

Yahoo

21 hours ago

Harvey Weinstein is standing on business concerning his innocence.
The film producer insists he might have been an extremely sexually expressive person, but never did he forcefully have his way with someone of the opposite sex, as his accusers have alleged.
Harvey Weinstein was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape in his 2020 trial, receiving a 23-year sentence.
Weinstein recently spoke out during the jury's deliberations in his rape retrial, expressing "regrets" about his immoral behavior while maintaining his claim of innocence.
In a phone interview conducted at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment, Weinstein reiterated familiar lines he has used in the past.
This interview took place on Thursday with "Good Day New York" host Rosanna Scotto, highlighting his ongoing legal situation while he continues to address various health issues while in custody. The disgraced Hollywood film mogul expressed his regrets about the impact of his actions on his family and friends.
He acknowledged the emotional pain he caused his wife and others close to him, describing his behavior as immoral and foolish. Yet, he maintained that he never engaged in anything illegal or criminal.
As the jury in his Manhattan retrial for rape and a criminal sexual act began their deliberations after six weeks of testimony, TMZ shared that he admitted to feeling "nervous" about the upcoming verdict.
As noted by PEOPLE, Combs and Weinstein have now both been accused of sexual assault by model Crystal McKinney. McKinney, in an amended complaint filed against Weinstein on May 30, alleged that Weinstein raped her and a friend in 2003.
McKinney had previously filed a lawsuit in 2024, accusing Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her. In McKinney's new complaint, she allegedly received a call from an unnamed executive at a modeling agency who arranged a business meeting with Weinstein at a popular lounge in the West Village.
McKinney explained that she took a fellow model and roommate with her, hoping that Weinstein might also consider her for an acting role. After waiting at the lounge, they were eventually directed to Weinstein's table.
It was there that McKinney noted Weinstein expressed a desire to get to know them better, suggesting they move their meeting to his place, as he deemed the lounge "too loud and crowded" for a discussion about potential acting opportunities.
Upon returning to their hotel room, McKinney alleges in her complaint that the film producer excessively provided alcohol, serving multiple bottles of Boulevardier and Dom Pérignon, along with vodka cocktails.
She claims that during this incident, Weinstein inappropriately touched her by grabbing her breasts and tearing at her tank top, causing drinks to spill onto her shirt and prompting a quick trip to the bathroom.
In her complaint, she stated that her friend had accompanied her when Weinstein entered the bathroom uninvited. He allegedly demanded that the two women strip and join him in the bathtub, where he then exposed himself.
McKinney and her friend felt coerced and complied with his demands, fearing retaliation if they resisted his advances.
The model further recounted an incident involving Weinstein, where she alleged that he coerced her and her friend into engaging in sexual acts in a bathtub before forcibly dragging them to the bed. She accused him of raping both women and leaving the hotel room abruptly afterward.
McKinney described herself as feeling disgusted and frightened at Weinstein's actions and emphasized that she had been heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Afterward, she claimed that when she reported the assault to Weinstein's assistant over the phone, instead of addressing her concerns, the assistant instructed her to leave the hotel room immediately.
Following this traumatic experience, McKinney reported suffering from a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, anger, self-blame, suicidal thoughts, body image problems, and a sense of demoralization.
Since he resumed serving time at the correctional facility, the producer has been exposed to a plethora of illnesses. As noted by The Blast in April, his legal team said that he was battling cancer and diabetes alongside severe coronary artery disease that caused chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart.
He also reportedly struggled with obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, obesity, chronic pain in his lower back and legs, anemia, and hypertension, among other ailments.
Some of these illnesses did not happen overnight or on their own; according to his attorney, his living conditions at Rikers Prison did damage to his health. Weinstein reportedly had to survive under freezing temperatures and was made to wear dirty clothes.
All this worsened his already failing health, making him susceptible to COVID-19 and double pneumonia. The producer also had to undergo critical surgery to address a fluid buildup in his heart and lungs.
His lawyer, Imran Ansari, criticized New York City officials for contributing to his client's suffering. Ansari revealed that he had made multiple attempts to have Weinstein transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital, but city officials consistently ignored those requests.
He emphasized that this transfer was vital for Weinstein's health, asserting that it could potentially save his life and prevent premature death.
The convicted sex offender's attorney also demanded a monetary settlement for their troubles. As noted by The Blast, Weinstein and his attorney requested a $5 million settlement from Bellevue Hospital, which has treated Weinstein multiple times in 2024, including a stay in the ICU.
Despite their previous care, Weinstein criticized the hospital for releasing him back to prison before he had fully recovered. His compensation claim extends beyond the hospital; he also demanded remuneration from the City of New York and its agencies.
Weinstein alleged that he had suffered both physically and psychologically due to "horrific" treatment and adverse health conditions while incarcerated. His lawyers argued that the prison had severely mismanaged his health and failed to provide optimum medical care.
What verdict awaits Harvey Weinstein in his retrial?