WASHINGTON (US) – Imprisoned former Hollywood magnate Harvey Weinstein’s attorneys said on Tuesday that a $19 million settlement has been reached over two sexual harassment cases involving multiple women.
Terming the settlement a “complete sellout”, lawyers of the six women said it did not require the former movie producer to owe responsibility or pay out of his own pocket.
A federal judge and a bankruptcy court would have to ratify the settlement that resolves a case filed against Weinstein, 68, his production company and his brother in 2018 by the New York Attorney General’s office.
The settlement is also expected to close a separate 2017 class-action case on behalf of nine women who alleged that Weinstein sexually harrassed them, said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“After all the harassment, threats, and discrimination, these survivors are finally receiving some semblance of justice,” she tweeted.
James said the settlement would no longer require the women to abide by the non-disclosure agreements, which prevent them from publicly speaking about Weinstein.
Whitney Siehl, a lawyer of the women behind the 2017 lawsuit, termed her clients heroes who “ignited a movement” by going public with their allegations.
According to attorneys Douglas Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, the proposed deal was “deeply unfair” to their clients as well as those women who would no longer be able to come up with any claims against Weinstein in court.
In a statement, the attorneys said, “We are completely astounded that the attorney general is taking a victory lap for this unfair and inequitable proposal, and on behalf of our clients, we will be vigorously objecting in court.”
A Manhattan court in February found Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann. The verdict was hailed as a victory for the #MeToo movement. In March, he was awarded a life sentence of 23 years.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
