Harvey Weinstein transferred to state prison ahead of birthday
The former producer has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein has been transferred to a state prison in New York as he begins to serve his sentence for rape and sexual assault, officials said.
Weinstein, once one of Hollywood’s most powerful men, was sentenced to 23 years in prison by a judge in New York last week after being convicted of assaulting a production assistant at his apartment in 2006, and third-degree rape of another woman in 2013.
The former producer, who will turn 68 on Thursday, is locked up at the maximum security Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo, according to state prison officials.
The prison, six hours by car from Manhattan, is likely just a temporary stop but one that Weinstein’s spokesman called “harsh”.
Weinstein will be be evaluated there to determine which state prison facility meets his security, medical, mental health and other needs.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in Los Angeles have started the extradition process to bring Weinstein to California after he was charged in January with one felony count each of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraint.
Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women including actresses Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lawrence.
