NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Harvey Weinstein鈥檚 lawyers filed a legal claim Tuesday against New York City, alleging that he is receiving substandard medical treatment in unhygienic conditions while in custody at the jail complex.
The notice of claim, which is the first step in filing a lawsuit, accuses the facility of failing to manage the former movie mogul's medical conditions, which include chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes, and negligence ranging from 鈥渇reezing鈥� conditions to a lack of clean clothes.
The city's law department and Department of Correction did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
鈥淲hen I last visited him, I found him with blood spatter on his prison garb, possibly from IV鈥檚, clothes that had not been washed for weeks, and he had not even been provided clean underwear 鈥� hardly sanitary conditions for someone with severe medical conditions,鈥� Weinstein's attorney, , said in a statement, comparing the facility to a 鈥済ulag."
Weinstein, 72, has been in city custody since earlier this year, following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction in the state. The case is set to be Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing.
Weinstein in April and for health problems. His team has said he's been treated for diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, COVID-19, and fluid on his heart and lungs.
The legal claim, which seeks $5 million in damages, argues he鈥檇 been returned to Rikers each time before he had fully recovered.
Weinstein's film production company went into bankruptcy proceedings after his convictions, setting up a fund for a sexual misconduct claims fund.
The Rikers Island jail is slated to be closed in 2027, but the city has deadlines to do so.
The Associated Press
