“There is no way to avoid endoscopy in prison. I constantly think about what I would do differently if I had another chance. I would respect women more. I wouldn’t be with them to begin with. I would be faithful to my marriage. I would protect my family.”
These are the 73-year-old’s words from prison in January (and published today), just before he appeared in court once more.
The man who once lived in opulence, as if straight out of a movie script, is actually the controversial living version of the conflict between charm, power and arrogance.
In the 90s and early 2000s, he was the absolute king of his industry, a producer with a magical ability to turn controversial scripts into Oscars and up-and-coming actors into stars.
He seemed to have all the power in his hands: magazines, theater, movies, political relations, even the esteem of prime ministers and presidents. Charming, funny, generous when he wanted to be, with a mind sharp in selecting talent and stories, but behind the glitter was his dark side: the man who used his position to rush, dominate, bully and exploit others.
Today, in prison, he appears stripped of the glow that once surrounded him: a 73-year-old, sick (with diabetes, among other things, cancer), frail, isolated, in a wheelchair, but who still sees himself as a victim of an era that he believes misunderstood him.
The interview took place at Rikers prison outside New York.
Life in prison
As he told reporter Mayer Rohsan, Rikers Island prison is hell. “I spend almost all my time in my cell. Sometimes I go out in the wheelchair just for some air, but that only lasts half an hour. Mostly I stay in my cell 23 hours a day. I have no human contact except the guards.’
He then describes how different life was in a state prison. “When I was in state prison, it was different. I woke up in the morning, had breakfast, saw friends, talked to people, watched TV together. I’ve begged to go to state prison, but the DA says, “You’re on trial, you’re in Rikers. We want to watch you.” They have been following me for 19 months. I don’t know where they think I’m going.”
His reputation works negatively. “Here at Rikers it hurts me, because it forces me into isolation. It’s too dangerous to be around others. The other prisoners go to the yard. But every time I go out there, I feel like I’m under siege. They come and say, “Weinstein, give me money. Give me your lawyer. Do this. Do that.” They threaten me and make fun of me all the time. I wouldn’t last long out there.”
He talks about wood and the omerta without which no one survives. “Once, while I was waiting to use the phone, I asked my front man if he’s finished. He came down and hit me hard in the face. I fell down and was bleeding everywhere. I was seriously injured. The police asked me who did it, but I couldn’t say. You can’t be a ruffian. That’s the law of the jungle.”
Is the once powerful man worried that he will die in prison? “It scares me beyond belief. Cold and indifferent. It’s incredible to have the life I’ve had and the things I’ve done for society and not have mercy on me in a kinder way. Whatever they think I did wrong in my life, I didn’t get the death penalty. I will be 74 in March. I don’t want to die here.”
Sexual crimes
Harvey Weinstein denies sexual assault despite dozens of allegations against him. He claims many women made false claims for financial gain, while acknowledging he was pushy, seductive and used his staff to cover up his extramarital affairs.
“They lied for many reasons. But mainly because there is money. A woman got half a million dollars. Another 500,000. A third 3 million. All they had to do to get the check was fill out a form saying I harassed them. They filled it in and the insurance company finally paid tens of millions.”
“Did I harass a few women unsuccessfully? Yes. Was I pushy or overly seductive? Yes to all of these. I shouldn’t have dated these women. I was married to a wonderful woman who had no idea what I was doing. I used my staff to hide these. I was never sexually harassed.”
He takes full responsibility for his actions, but separates those actions from sexual assault, characterizing them as excessive flirting or bad behavior. In addition, he admits to the power imbalance that existed in his relationships with some women, but maintains that he never touched or abused anyone. “I was strong and I hated being told ‘no’. Excessive flirting, ridiculous situations, bad behavior. Yes. But I didn’t touch anyone. I showed it with words and presence, not with violence.”
Harvey Weinstein has never thought about killing himself and says that many people close to him have abandoned him. “”Most friends and family suddenly disappeared. I’m afraid to invite people because they might cancel. It’s a crazy time.”
What would he choose if he could change his life? “If I had to live again, I would prefer life out of the public eye with children and family.”
