Harvey Weinstein releases photo of himself in hospital to prove he isn't faking illness to gain sympathy before his trial
In a desperate attempt to distance himself from the rumors that he is faking his illness, exposed sexual predator Harvey Weinstein has released a photograph of himself inside a hospital. The disgraced former film executive has even tried to prove that he has difficulty walking as he shuttled into a bail hearing using a walking frame.
Many now accuse Weinstein of trying to gain sympathy ahead of his criminal trial on January 6, 2020. He is accused of five counts of rape and sexual assault. Weinstein's spokesperson said that the 67-year-old had undergone a three-hour back operation in New York on December 12, for injuries he sustained in a car accident in the summer.
"The idea he is faking his illness is ridiculous," the spokesman said. "Harvey [Weinstein] has been in agony and underwent surgery on Thursday. We don't know if he will need further surgeries."
If convicted of all charges, Weinstein stands to spend the rest of his life. On December 11, The New York Times reported that Weinstein and the board of his bankrupt film studio have reached a $25 million tentative settlement - an out-of-court deal where he will admit to no wrongdoing but the accusers stand to share a total of $25 million from his insurers.
More than 30 actresses and former Weinstein employees have accused him of offenses ranging from sexual harassment to rape. This deal will bring an end to every lawsuit against him and his former company.
"Mr Weinstein's health has been deteriorating since August when he had the unfortunate accident. He had tried to manage the discomfort, but as the pain got worse and the various different courses of treatment failed to remedy the problem, he began to rely on a cane and a walker," Weinstein's lawyer Donna Rotunno said last week. "He did not want to appear in court using the assistance of those, for fear of exactly what some media turned it into."