Weinstein tests positive for virus
Film mogul has tested positive in prison.
Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the coronavirus inside a New York state prison, according to a state source with knowledge of the matter.
The positive test came back Sunday at the Wende Correctional Facility, where Weinstein is being held, roughly 30 miles outside of Niagara Falls, N.Y., according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss Weinstein’s medical status.
The president of the union that represents New York state correctional officers also told Reuters that Weinstein had tested positive and that several prison employees had been quarantined as a result.
State corrections officials have not responded to requests for comment from The Times. On Sunday, the department issued a statement confirming that two people had tested positive for the virus at the facility where Weinstein was being housed.
Weinstein’s closest confidantes had not been told of his medical status until midday Monday, according to Donna Rotunno, lead defense counsel in his New York trial.
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s chief spokesman, released a statement saying his team would not disclose his client’s medical status to the public. “While his team is now fully aware of his current medical condition, since Mr. Weinstein executed the proper Department of Corrections healthcare information release form, we are going to continue protecting his privacy and maintain his privacy,” the statement read. “As such, we will not discuss this matter any further.”
Weinstein, 68, was transferred to the state facility last week to begin serving his 23-year prison sentence after he was convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault in Manhattan.
It was not clear when Weinstein was tested, where he contracted the virus or how many people he had been in contact with. He has been placed in isolation and was never held in the “general population” at the facility, according to the source.
The story was first reported Sunday by the Niagara Gazette, citing anonymous sources.
Weinstein had been held in an infirmary ward on Rikers Island in New York City before his transfer upstate last week. At least 38 people have tested positive for the virus at Rikers, according to media reports.
After Weinstein was convicted last month of a firstdegree criminal sexual act against a former production assistant and the third-degree rape of an aspiring actress, his lawyers argued for him to be placed under house arrest because of health concerns. Twice since his conviction, Weinstein was admitted to Bellevue Hospital because of heart palpitations.
Weinstein still faces sexual assault charges in Los Angeles County related to two alleged attacks that took place in Southern California hotels in 2013. L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said last month she would immediately begin extradition proceedings but added that the process normally takes months and could be slowed further due to the virus and Weinstein’s plans to appeal his conviction in New York.
In a statement Monday, the district attorney’s office said it had “initiated its request to New York for the temporary custody of defendant Weinstein.”
It remains unclear when Weinstein might appear in a Southern California courtroom.