Harvey Weinstein rushed to hospital 'with chest pains' after being convicted

25 February 2020, 08:35

Weinstein was found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Weinstein was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Picture: PA

Harvey Weinstein was rushed to hospital suffering from chest pains after he was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting two women in a landmark prosecution.

Harvey Weinstein was rushed to hospital suffering from chest pains after he was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting two women in a landmark prosecution.

The disgraced film producer, 67, was sent to hospital suffering from high blood pressure and heart palpitations, a spokesman confirmed.

His representative said he was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez speaks outside court
Model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez speaks outside court. Picture: Getty

His attorney, Donna Rotunno, told Fox News that he was being checked out for heart palpitations, saying: “He’s OK.”

He had been ordered to jail ahead of sentencing on March 11. Weinstein was found guilty yesterday of sexually assaulting a woman in his apartment in 2006 and raping an aspiring actress in a hotel room in 2013.

He was cleared of two counts of predatory sexual assault and one count of first degree rape. He is now facing up to 29 years in jail.

After the sentencing, his celebrity accusers praised the bravery of the women who came forward in the #metoo prosecution.

Actress Rose McGowan said Weinstein will finally know how it feels to have "power wrapped around his neck" after the disgraced film mogul was convicted.

McGowan was one of the earliest - and most prominent - of Weinstein's accusers.

"Today is a powerful day," she said. "And a huge step forward in collective healing. 20 years ago I decided to come after Weinstein because I'd heard about him doing this to someone else, and then I heard him doing it to someone else, and someone else.

"Every one of us who has come forward, we have a name, we have a history, we have a life, we are more than Weinstein. But today, because of the brave women, who bared their deepest hurt for the world to see, he's in Rikers Island.

"For once he won't be sitting comfortably. For once he will know what it's like to have power wrapped around his neck. Today is not a referendum on #MeToo, this is taking out the trash."

It was alleged throughout the trial Weinstein leveraged his immense power and influence to exploit women and the jury heard harrowing testimony from a string of accusers.

He was convicted on charges stemming from a 2006 sexual assault and a 2013 rape. The jury found Weinstein not guilty on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, that could have resulted in a life sentence.

Weinstein faces between five and 25 years in prison, the Manhattan District Attorney said, with sentencing on March 11.

Weinstein's lawyers say they will appeal.

After the verdicts were returned on Monday, Judge James Burke ordered Weinstein taken to jail immediately.

Court officers handcuffed him, put their arms under his, and led him unsteadily from the courtroom via a side door without the use of the walker he relied on for much of the trial.

He was later taken from the courthouse in an ambulance, strapped to a stretcher in his suit, in what was believed to be a precautionary measure, and taken to a locked unit at Bellevue Hospital.

The judge said he would ask that Weinstein, who had been free on bail since his arrest nearly two years ago, be held in the jail's infirmary after his lawyers said he needed medical attention following unsuccessful back surgery.

McGowan, who alleges she was assaulted by Weinstein in the 1990s, praised the other women who came forward and said she wanted to cause a "massive cultural reset".

She said: "We achieved that already with what happened but today the trashman came.

"He said to all the little girls and little boys who get hurt in this world, some day maybe you too can have a voice."

Former Charmed star McGowan, 46, added: "I believe we can be better as a world, as people, as humans. Today is one more step forward in that direction."

British actress Lysette Anthony alleges Weinstein raped her at her home in London in the 1980s.

The Hollyoaks star paid tribute to the women who testified in court and attacked Weinstein's defence team for how they attempted to shield a "very rich, serial, predatory, rapist".

She said: "This is the day that truth has won. This is a momentous day and this is the day that hiding behind vicious, petty, transactional defence was slaughtered.

"That's what we did and I am very proud to be part with you all."

Actress Ashley Judd, another of the dozens of women to make allegations against Weinstein, tweeted: "For the women who testified in this case, and walked through traumatic hell, you did a public service to girls and women everywhere, thank you."

Former Sopranos star Annabella Sciorra gave evidence in court that Weinstein had raped her in her New York City apartment in the mid-1990s.

Weinstein was acquitted on the two counts of predatory sexual assault that hinged on Sciorra's evidence.

In a statement following the verdict, she said: "My testimony was painful but necessary. I spoke for myself and with the strength of the 80-plus victims of Harvey Weinstein in my heart.

"While we hope for continued righteous outcomes that bring absolute justice, we can never regret breaking the silence. For in speaking truth to power we pave the way for a more just culture, free of the scourge of violence against women."

Following the verdict, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Jr hailed a "new day".

He said: "This is the new landscape for survivors of sexual assault in America. This is a new day.

"It's a new day because Harvey Weinstein has finally been held accountable for crimes he committed. The women who came forward courageously, and at great risk, made that happen."

Tina Tchen, president and CEO of the TIME'S UP Foundation, said it marked a "new era of justice".

Weinstein is also facing charges in Los Angeles.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Germany's

NATO at risk of Russia attack in next four years, warns German defence chief

Boulder, Colorado, USA. 1st June, 2025. Police investigate the scene of an 'act of terror' in and talk with witnesses on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. (Credit Image: © Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire)

'Targeted terror attack' in Colorado as petrol bombs reportedly thrown at pro-Israel group, several injured

One young user of single-use vapes told me the ban doesn't "change anything".

'It doesn't change anything', say vape users as disposable vape ban comes into force to deter use among young people

Emergency services near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, where a incident has taken place. Picture date: Sunday June 1, 2025.

Gunman opens fire at shopping centre in Ireland as man dies from 'self-inflicted' injuries and child injured

London, England. 24th May 2025. Pixie Lott wears a tshirt gifted by a fan as she presents new single 'Somebody's daughter' to the Foodie Festival audience. Cristina Massei/Alamy Live News

Pixie Lott reveals she's pregnant with second child on stage at festival

The Ukrainian leader celebrated the attack in Russia.

'Brilliant result': Zelenskyy celebrates Ukraine's attack on 40 'enemy bombers' in Russia that caused '$7bn' damage

The Royal Terrace Pier Gravesend Kent UK

Man describes rescuing 'screaming' boy from Thames after body recovered in search for missing girl

Yates on the podium, wearing the pink jersey of the race overall leader, celebrates after winning the 21th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025. Sport - cycling. (Photo by Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse) Credit: LaPresse/Alamy Live News

Britain's Simon Yates wins first Giro d'Italia title in Rome

IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin features in a video posted to X, captioned: "I visited the area of one of the GHF humanitarian aid distribution centers to set the record straight."

IDF denies responsibility after reports of 31 dead in Israeli attack near aid site

Climate activist Greta Thunberg with other activists from a human rights organization meets with journalists in Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025, ahead of their departure for the Mideast.

'We have to keep trying': Greta Thunberg sets sail on journey to bring aid relief to Gaza as activist is joined by 11 others

Wiltshire Police confirmed nine people had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

Boat on River Thames 'explodes' with nine people injured 'including baby' and transferred to hospital after blaze

British surgeon Dr. Victoria Rose describes the catastrophic scene at Nasser Medical Complex

'Absolute carnage': British doctor describes horror in Gaza hospital after Israel 'opens fire' on aid centre

Sam was driving on the A34 near Manchester on Monday when his car suddenly left the road.

Race Across the World contestant Sam Gardiner, 24, dies in car crash as family pay tribute to his 'joy and energy'

Russia's Ministry of Defence acknowledged the strikes on airfields across five regions earlier today.

Ukraine targets more than 40 'enemy bombers' deep inside Russia with drones 'hidden' in special containers, source says

Firefighters with breathing apparatus and a ladder truck work at the Marienkrankenhaus hospital in Hamburg's Hohenfelde district of Hamburg.

Three dead, more than thirty-five injured in fire in geriatric ward of German hospital

An investigation has found trending mental health TikTok videos are spreading misinformation about mental health

'Feeling anxious? Eat an orange in the shower': Over half of top 100 Tik Tok mental health advice videos contain misinformation