Harvey Weinstein was diagnosed with cancer while awaiting a second trial for sex crimes

Convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with cancer.

The 72-year-old former film producer, who is currently behind bars, learned of his diagnosis earlier this month, insiders told the New York Post.

A representative for Weinstein initially denied the diagnosis when contacted by The Post. They later condemned “speculation” about his health.

“Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein's authorized health representative in New York State, expresses his deep dismay at the speculation regarding Mr. Weinstein's health,” the representative said in a statement.

“It is both worrying and unacceptable that such private and confidential health matters have become the subject of public discussion. Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will have no further comment.”

Weinstein was a well-known filmmaker until several women accused him of rape and sexual assault in 2017.

Actress Rose McGowan was one of the first women to come forward about how the producer lured her to his Park City, Utah, hotel room in 1997 for an alleged business meeting.

The Charmed star claimed Weinstein was undressed when she met him in his room.

Other women's allegations date back to the 1990s. Many claimed they were afraid to speak out because they believed he would retaliate against them by ruining their careers.

Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison in March 2020 for third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

“I would like to say that although this is a first conviction, it is not a first offense,” Judge James Burke said at the time.

Weinstein also spoke to the court before his sentencing in 2020 and addressed the #MeToo movement.

“First of all, I want to say that with all the women who testified, we may have different truths. I have great remorse for all the men and women who are going through this crisis in our country right now,” he said.

“You know, the movement essentially started with me, and I think what happened, you know, I was the first example, and now there are thousands of men who are being accused and a generation of things that agree with me after none of us understood.” ”

He was convicted of raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and sexually abusing former “Project Runway” assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi by performing oral sex on her without consent in 2006.

However, Weinstein is currently awaiting a retrial after a New York court overturned his conviction in April 2024 by a 4-3 vote.

The accused rapist was also sentenced to 16 additional years in prison after being convicted of three sexual assault charges in 2022.