Harvey Weinstein tests positive for coronavirus in prison: union official

(Reuters) – Former film producer Harvey Weinstein, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has analyzed optimistic for the coronavirus, in accordance to the head of the point out corrections officers union.

Weinstein, sixty eight, has been put in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility, mentioned Michael Powers, president of the New York Condition Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Affiliation.

Powers mentioned he uncovered that the check arrived again optimistic on Sunday early morning and is anxious about the corrections officers, who he mentioned lack suitable protective tools. Many employees have been quarantined, Powers mentioned.

Weinstein arrived at Wende Correctional Facility, a greatest stability prison east of Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday soon after becoming housed at New York City’s Rikers Island jail.

He was sentenced to 23 years in prison on March 11 for sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress.

Following the sentencing, Weinstein used time at Bellevue Medical center in Manhattan for heart difficulties, in accordance to his spokesman, Juda Engelmayer. He also has other healthcare issues, like diabetic issues and higher blood pressure.

A law firm for Weinstein mentioned on Sunday evening that his legal workforce experienced not been notified of the coronavirus diagnosis.

“Given Mr. Weinstein’s point out of well being, we are of class anxious, if this is the case, and we are vigilantly checking the problem,” mentioned law firm Imran Ansari, who is dependent in New York.

The Niagara Gazette, a community newspaper in upstate New York, claimed that Weinstein experienced analyzed optimistic for the really contagious virus previously Sunday, citing anonymous officers.

Two prisoners at the Wende Facility have verified conditions of COVID-19, a point out prison formal told Reuters. The formal mentioned he could not remark on any specific prisoner’s healthcare document.

The formal told Reuters that, with every verified case, the Department of Corrections is effective with the Department of Wellbeing to identify potentially uncovered people.

Mark David Chapman, who murdered Beatle John Lennon in 1980, served some of his time at Wende Correctional Facility, as did Robert Chambers, dubbed the “Preppie killer,” who strangled eighteen-12 months-outdated Jennifer Levin in New York City’s Central Park in 1986.

Weinstein’s conviction was hailed as a victory for the #MeToo motion in opposition to sexual misconduct by impressive males.

Extra than one hundred gals, like well known actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching again decades. He has denied the allegations, declaring any intercourse was consensual. 

Weinstein also faces independent sexual assault prices in Los Angeles.

Weinstein won an Academy Award for manufacturing “Shakespeare in Love” and was responsible for other acclaimed movies like “Pulp Fiction,” “The English Patient” and “Gangs of New York.”