Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer complained that his high-carb diet on Rikers Island caused his sugar intake to “go through the roof” as he pleaded to be released from jail.
The disgraced movie mogul’s 2020 rape conviction was overturned in April and he appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday as District Attorney Alvin Bragg prepares to file new charges against him.
Today, the prosecutor announced that they are looking for potential victims for a new indictment. They hope to be able to hear the case in November.
His attorney Arthur Aidala argued that if there is a case to be argued, the ball should be set rolling and not be delayed over and over again.
He also described the ailments Weinstein is struggling with after serving nearly five years in prison, and how his prison meals in New York are taking a toll on his health.
Weinstein’s accuser Jessica Man sat in the second row of the courtroom during Tuesday’s hearing at the New York Supreme Criminal Court.
The disgraced movie mogul was convicted of rape in April 2020 and appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday (pictured) as District Attorney Alvin Bragg prepares to file new charges against him.
Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg told the court on Tuesday: ‘The trauma-related charge, sexual abuse by aggressive persons, is still being investigated. We are convinced that the suspect committed this within the statute of limitations.
“It’s an ongoing process. We don’t expect any delays, but I can’t give the court a specific time frame. We think it will be before the fall.”
Weinstein’s attorney Arthur Aidala said, “We’ve been down this path before. We need plenty of notice before a case is filed so we can present evidence to the grand jury.
‘Normally there is a crime, so a complaining witness and then you go looking for the suspect.
‘Another suspect looking for a crime. As a citizen I find this very annoying, because this is not how it should happen.
“They should be warned about a crime. Here we have the charges again and just like last time, hotline 1-800 has Harvey find someone else.
‘Mr. Weinstein has now been in prison for five years on a wrongful conviction and he has suffered immensely.
“Mr. Weinstein has been hospitalized since he began his incarceration four and a half years ago.”
Aidala said he had a doctor’s note stating that Weinstein has fluid in his heart and lungs, spinal scoliosis and diabetes that is “out of control.”
He said the diabetes was caused by ‘the diet they give on Rikers Island’ [which] consists of 90 percent carbohydrates that are simply converted into sugar.’
“His sugar levels are through the roof. He’s not really getting any treatment for any of that. He’s reporting back regularly with excruciating pain and exhaustion,” he added.
Aidala added that Mr Weinstein is being held alone in a ward and that he only has contact with prison staff or people from his office.
Weinstein is flanked by his team of lawyers in Manhattan court this morning
Weinstein, pictured here with his ex-wife Georgina Chapman in happier times, was a giant in the film industry before allegations of sexual abuse made him the face of the #MeToo movement
“We’re trying to talk to the city’s attorneys to see if he can go back to a facility with on-site medical care.
“He needs some relief. There is light at the end of the tunnel for Mr. Weinstein. He is not a young man, he is a sick man, he has young children and he wants out.
“It’s just delay, delay, delay. I’m just asking for time, we just need to get the ball rolling.”
Blumberg responded: ‘There are certainly no delaying tactics on the part of the people. We are acting in the most expeditious manner possible.
“We also indicated that we will continue to work diligently and turn over evidence on an ongoing basis. We have been through and interviewing many individuals who indicated that the defendant raped them in Manhattan.
“We are actively investigating cases in which we believe the suspect forcibly raped and sexually assaulted women in Manhattan that fall within the statute of limitations.
‘There were women who were not ready to start the legal process. Some of those women are now ready.
“We are meeting these individuals and we are working diligently with them. That will not prevent us from taking the case to court.”
“We’re sticking to that timeline. We plan to hear the case in the fall. We think November is a realistic timeline.”
Weinstein’s lawyer Adala said: “Mr. Weinstein is begging us to move forward. We were talking about September, but now we’re talking about November.”
The next trial is on July 19.
Aidala told reporters outside the courthouse: “He’s completely suffering in Rikers Island. We’re not talking about a cuticle disorder or a stubbed toe.
‘He is 73 years old, he has not had treatment for a long time
“He was in a better state before this case was overturned. When he was up north, he was in a hospital and he was getting better treatment and medication.”
“Jessica is in the courtroom, she seems to be the one who is ready, willing and able to move forward. But what everyone needs to know is that if this case goes wrong for us and he is convicted, the judge cannot give him another minute in jail.
It’s a waste of time.
‘He’s actually in solitary confinement, he has a new book that he’s very happy about.
“It’s about 20th Century Fox and the movie industry, so he reads a lot. I think he has access to a television every now and then, but he’s more or less alone.”
