Actress and activist Rose McGowan has reacted to the news that Harvey Weinstein allegedly tested positive for the coronavirus in prison, telling her Twitter followers: "Karma chameleon indeed."
It was reported Sunday that Weinstein, 68, had tested positive for COVID-19 after beginning his incarceration at the Wende Correctional Facility, east of Buffalo in New York. According to Reuters, citing the head of a New York correctional officers union, the former movie producer has been placed in isolation.
Upstate New York newspaper the Niagara Gazette also reported Weinstein had tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday.
On Twitter, McGowan, a Weinstein accuser in one of the most prolific cases of sexual misconduct brought to light in the #MeToo movement, said: "Dear Harvey, In your darkest hour, repent. And in your lightest moment set yourself free."
At New York prison, Harvey Weinstein put in isolation after contracting virus | Covid-19 | https://t.co/P5XQWIzDKy: Dear Harvey, In your darkest hour, repent. And in your lightest moment set yourself free. https://t.co/RULg5wz55y
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) March 22, 2020
McGowan also retweeted a GIF from the music video for "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club, writing: "Karma Chameleon indeed."
Karma Chameleon indeed https://t.co/OOVrw3I23e
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) March 22, 2020
Reuters reports that two inmates at Wende Correctional Facility have tested positive for COVID-19, but said an official for the facility could not confirm the identity of the prisoners.
A laywer for Weinstein told Reuters Sunday that his legal team had not been notified of a coronavirus diagnosis. "Given Mr. Weinstein's state of health, we are of course concerned, if this is the case, and we are vigilantly monitoring the situation," said lawyer Imran Ansari.
Weinstein, who produced numerous Oscar-winning films including Shakespeare In Love, was found guilty of sexual assault and rape at a highly publicized trial in New York last month. He was convicted of a first-degree sexual act against a production assistant, Miriam Haley, and third-degree rape of Jessica Mann, an aspiring actress.
The producer was sentenced to 23 years in prison on March 11 and began serving his time at Wende, a maximum security prison, on Wednesday. Weinstein was previously being held at the Rikers Island jail. He also spent time at the Bellevue Hospital after his conviction and sentencing due to heart problems.
Speaking at his sentencing hearing earlier in March, Weinstein addressed his accusers, of which six testified to being sexually assaulted at trial.
"I really feel remorse for this situation. I feel it deeply in my heart. I will spend my time really caring and really trying to be a better person," said Weinstein.
"I'm not going to say these aren't great people, I had wonderful times with these people, you know. It is just I'm totally confused and I think men are confused about all of these issues."
