Harvey Weinstein May Have Coronavirus: Report

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 21: Harvey Weinstein arrives at Manhattan criminal court house as a jury continues with deliberations on February 21, 2020 in New York City. Weinstein, a movie producer whose alleged sexual misconduct helped spark the #MeToo movement, pleaded not-guilty on five counts of rape and sexual assault against two unnamed women and faces a possible life sentence in prison.

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Convicted rapist and disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus, just days after he started his 23-year state prison sentence, according to New York's Niagra Gazette.

Weinstein, who turned 68 on Thursday, is one of two inmates infected by COVID-19 at Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, just outside of Buffalo, according to the report. Weinstein's representatives have not confirmed the report.

Last month, a jury convicted Weinstein of committing a criminal sexual act and third-degree rape for sexually assaulting his former production assistant Miriam Haley and raping actress Jessica Mann. According to New York's Daily News, Weinstein was sent to Rikers Island right after his sentencing, then went to Bellevue Hospital with chest pains. After returning to Rikers, he was transferred from the jail’s North Infirmary Command to Wende on Wednesday.

Coronavirus Harvey Weinstein

Brian Ives // Managing Editor, Beasley MediaWriter

Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.