Harvey Weinstein moves to NY prison he's compared to 'the Taj Mahal'

2023-04-12

EXCLUSIVE: ‘New York prisons are like the Taj Mahal, the Plaza and Waldorf’: Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer says disgraced movie mogul is looking forward to being in East Coast jail – as he’s flown FIRST CLASS from LA at taxpayers’ expense

Harvey Weinstein, 70, has moved to a new prison in New York from Los Angeles
Weinstein had been at the Wende Correctional facility that houses serial killers
The disgraced movie mogul compared NY facilities to: ‘the Taj Mahal, the Plaza Hotel and the Waldorf’ after already serving two years of his sentence in LA

Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is looking forward to moving to a New York (NY) prison likening them to ‘the Taj Mahal, the Plaza Hotel and the Waldorf’ in comparison to the Los Angeles facility he had been serving out his decades-long sentence.

Earlier this week, the perverted sex offender was reportedly moved to Mohawk Correctional Facility in a luxurious first-class seat funded by California taxpayers by virtue of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s attorney who is arguing an appeal for him in October, told DailyMail.com exclusively that he’s ‘still a celebrity in prison’ and that while he’s ‘not having any problems’ has been looking forward to the move to NY.

‘He’s not having any problems. No-one is beating him up or anything like that. Right now, he’s in an LA prison but momentarily, he’s going to be back here in New York,’ Aidala said prior to the move.

Arthur Aidala (L), Harvey Weinstein’s (R) attorney who is arguing an appeal for him in October, told DailyMail.com exclusively that he’s ‘still a celebrity in prison’ and that while he’s ‘not having any problems’ has been looking forward to the move to NY

‘He has told me, and I think I can share this, that New York prisons are like the Taj Mahal, the Plaza Hotel and the Waldorf, compared to the LA prisons.

‘The accommodations are just nicer, everything is better, the food is better. Although he did say in LA they attended to any of his health matters very well.’

Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in February in his LA sexual assault case on top of his previous 23 year sentence for a rape conviction in New York City (NYC) and was originally at Wende Correctional but will move to Mohawk Correctional Facility.

Wende has a reputation of housing some of America’s most notorious serial killers and murderers.

The decision to move Weinstein came after a review of his treatment needs – Mohawk boasting online that it specializes in sex offender treatment.

Sources connected to the case told TMZ that Weinstein flew on a commercial airline on Wednesday with investigators and medical personnel aboard with the LA county District Attorney’s office footing the bill.

Pervert movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has reportedly ‘flown first class’ from Los Angeles (LA) to New York (NY) after his latest rape conviction with California tax payers paying for the luxury travel option. He’s seen walking to court in Feb

The DA’s Office told the outlet: ‘[Weinstein] was returned to New York via a method we typically use pursuant to our extradition agreement with New York.’

Juda Engelmayer told the publication that he received ‘treatment’ prior to getting on the flight for ‘medical issues he’s had over the years’ but it remains unclear what the specifics were.

Weinstein was heard ‘whining’ about his 16-year prison sentence in February and made the outrageous claim that the actress he was convicted of raping only accused him as a ‘money grab.’

The once powerful media mogul was found guilty of rape and two other counts of sexual assault at a trial in LA in December after previously being sentenced in 2020 for sex crimes in NYC.

‘It is incredible to be convicted for a crime I wasn’t even present for. I am innocent. I never raped or assaulted anyone,’ Weinstein said in a new statement following the verdict.

Aidala said that Weinstein had been living a comparatively sedentary lifestyle compared to his previously star studded and lavish lifestyle.

‘He reads books, he reads a lot of biographies,’ he said

He’s reading biographies of old screenwriters, not household names kinda folks. I don’t know how to describe Harvey because there’s part of him that’s like, missing a little something.

‘Sometimes I question his success, but I guess sometimes real geniuses in a particular field like they don’t know how to make popcorn. I literally mean he didn’t know how to make popcorn.’

Wende has a reputation of housing some of America’s most notorious serial killers and murderers. The decision to move Weinstein comes after a review of his treatment needs – Mohawk (pictured) boasting online that it specializes in sex offender treatment

Since the dust has settled with Weinstein and Georgina Chapman’s divorce in 2021, their relationship has become cordial, says Aidala

Reading appears to take up a large chunk of Weinstein’s life – which will likely end behind bars. As of now it’s unlikely he’ll get out of prison until he’s 107.

‘He’s very cerebral-he’s very well read – he could read 700 pages in a day and retain it all. He is that guy but then there are other social graces and things like that which he just doesn’t have,’ said a sympathetic Aidala.

The camera-ready attorney, known for his slick suits and welcome attitude to press, said Weinstein missed the world he once knew and the affects of prison had been taking a toll.

‘He missed the boat, he’s a little unkempt – like he didn’t even know how to dress for court. His collar’s hanging out. I’m like ‘let me fix it,” he said.

Since the dust has settled with his divorce from Georgina Chapman, who announced the split in 2017, Aidala said their relationship has become cordial.

‘Georgina’s been wonderful as of late. Once the dust settled with the divorce, and everything, she’s been wonderful with access to the children. They talk every day,’ he said.

Weinstein was already serving a 23-year sentence for separate rape and sexual assault convictions in New York when he was found guilty of rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by foreign object of an unnamed Russian-born Italian model.

His latest sentence – which will only begin when he completes his New York sentence – came after a rape at the Mr C Beverly Hills Hotel in February 2013.

Aidala said the pandemic has changed the world and believes his client, who he says was not given a ‘fair’ trial would have a ‘much better shot.’

Jurors remained deadlocked over sexual battery allegations leveled by the massage therapist, who broke down in court earlier this month as she recalled how Weinstein groped her and masturbated in front of her in a bathroom after one of their appointments in 2010

Weinstein attacked the woman at the Mr C Hotel in Beverley Hills, pictured, in 2013

Jurors also remained deadlocked in regards to rape and sexual assault charges leveled by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who claims Weinstein sexually assaulted her during a 2005 meeting – telling her ‘relax, this is going to make you feel better’

Shouting through tears at times during her impassioned testimony, the 48-year-old wife of California’s more prominent politician testified that Weinstein raped her when she was 31 and trying to build a career as an actor and producer. Jurors voted 8-4 in her favor but could not reach a verdict

‘I think if Harvey Weinstein went to trial today, he’d have a much better shot,’ he said.

‘The coronavirus changed the balance of Planet Earth. Things that we thought were so important after we watched a million people die, that changed our priorities.

‘Also, people have been exonerated Kevin Spacey to some degree has been exonerated, Russell Simmons has been exonerated.

‘People turned out to be liars. #Metoo has lost its appeal or its power. During that time, you’re picking a jury, the windows are open, there’s protesters outside shouting ‘convict Harvey.’

As the judge revealed his fate, Weinstein – who is now almost certain to die behind bars – moaned: ‘I maintain that I’m innocent.’

‘I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1. I never knew this woman, and the fact is she doesn’t know me.’

‘Please don’t sentence me to life in prison,’ he begged Judge Lisa B Lench, to no avail. ‘I don’t deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case.’

Jurors were also unable to reach a verdict involving model Lauren Young, called Jane Doe 2 in proceeding, who alleged that during a 2013 meeting with Weinstein about a script, he trapped her in the bathroom of his Beverly Hills hotel, groped her, and masturbated in front of her

‘I was scared of Harvey Weinstein – that he would hurt me, or send someone to hurt me, or ruin my career, or make my life hell,’ Lauren Young said during an emotional testimony

The case has seen five new sexual assault charges and two of rape leveled against the now wheelchair-bound convict for alleged incidents that transpired in LA between 2004 and 2013. The allegations were brought by four women all referred to as Jane Doe in court documents

Weinstein is already two years into his first sentencing, by the end of both will likely be released aged 107, if still alive at the time.

A spokesman for the convicted sex offender said that the sentence is ‘cruel’ given Weinstein’s age and failing health conditions, vowing that his conviction will be overturned.

In a statement to DailyMail.com Engelmayer said the time of sentencing: ‘It’s not justice, but a pile on, for a man many people just decided should be cast off and discarded regardless of facts. It will be appealed.’

The judge, just like the trial judge in New York – who was not reappointed to the bench – will eventually be called out for bias and injustice.

‘There are many out there who will celebrate this action,’ Engelmayer noted.

‘But it is a sad day for justice and fairness, and I hope no one who is pleased with this is ever caught on the wrong side of cancel culture while hopelessly and voicelessly proclaiming innocence.’

The jury in his Los Angeles trial had been unable to reach a decision on three other counts, including those aired by the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who alleged Weinstein raped her in 2005.

It also failed to reach a verdict on allegations involving model Lauren Young, called Jane Doe 2 during proceedings — forcing jurists to declare a mistrial on those counts.

The disgraced mogul — whose crimes spawned growth of the #MeToo movement in 2017 — was acquitted of a sexual battery allegation made by another woman, an unnamed massage therapist who treated Weinstein at LA’s Montage hotel in 2010, known as Jane Doe 3.

Sara Ziff, 40, said Fabrizio Lombardo attacked her in 2001 when she was aged 19 after a screening of Black Hawk Down

Fabrizio Lombardo (right), who has denied claims he was a ‘fixer’ who ‘procured’ girls for Harvey Weinstein, is accused of raping a model in a New York City hotel after luring her with the promise of a meeting with the disgraced movie mogul

In total, the case contained five sexual assault charges brought by the four women for incidents that transpired in LA county between 2004 and 2013, including two counts of forcible rape — one involving Siebel Newsom, and another involving the unnamed Russian model, who said Weinstein appeared uninvited at her hotel room door during a Los Angeles film festival in 2013.

Weinstein had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which could have seen his current sentence increase by as much as 65 years.

Over the course of the trial, the accusers shared their stories.

It comes amid allegations from one of Weinstein’s former right-hand men who is being accused of raping a model at her New York hotel when she was 19 after luring her to a penthouse suite with the promise of a meeting the disgraced film mogul.

Sara Ziff, 40, said Fabrizio Lombardo attacked her in 2001 when she was aged 19 after a screening of Black Hawk Down.

Lombardo is the former head of Miramax Italy and has previously been described as a ‘fixer’ for Weinstein who ‘procured’ girls for the producer – claims he’s denied.

The suit was filed on Thursday under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allows alleged victims of sexual abuse to bring a lawsuit regardless of how much time has passed.

Ziff is also suing Disney, Miramax and Weinstein in the suit, alleging they knew Lombardo was a ‘danger to women’ but did nothing about it.

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