Film producer Harvey Weinstein has reached a tentative $25 million settlement with dozens of women who accused him of sexual misconduct. About 30 Hollywood actresses and former employees would share the payout in the deal. However, all parties still have to agree to this. The defendant's lawyers have not commented and some say the deal will punish those who hold out.
Harvey Weinstein in court
After two years of legal wrangling, Harvey Weinstein and the board of his bankrupt film studio have reached a tentative $25 million settlement with dozens of his alleged sexual misconduct victims. The prosecutors themselves took part in the negotiations with his lawyers.
Key stakeholders have given preliminary approval to the proposed global legal agreement, according to several lawyers. More than 30 actresses and former Weinstein associates who have accused Mr. Weinstein in lawsuits of crimes ranging from sexual harassment to rape would share in the payout. This also applies to potential applicants who may join in the coming months. However, the deal would end almost any such lawsuit against him and his former company.
Mr. Weinstein faces a separate criminal trial next month on charges of rape and sexual assault, which he denies. The Hollywood producer could face life in prison if convicted. The settlement would require court approval and final signature by all parties. Insurance companies will pay parties representing the producer's former studio, the Weinstein Company.
However, since the company is in bankruptcy proceedings, the women had to assert their claims together with the creditors. The payout to the plaintiffs would be part of a settlement totaling $47 million. This should clarify the company's obligations. That's according to half a dozen lawyers, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity about the proposed terms.
Response and agreement
Weinstein himself would not have to pay his accusers a dime or admit any wrongdoing under the terms of the settlement, the Times reports. The former film producer's lack of personal responsibility has led to disappointment and anger among some of the women involved, although negotiating parties insist the legal options open to them were limited.
“I don't love it, but I don't know how to pursue it. “I don’t know what I can really do,” said actress Katherine Kendall, who was alleged to have been sexually harassed by Weinstein in 1993. The pending settlement of the numerous civil lawsuits is by no means the end of Weinstein's legal problems. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin on January 6th with jury selection in a Manhattan court.
Criminal charges against him include the alleged rape of a woman in 2013 and an allegation of forced oral sex against an unnamed woman in 2006. Weinstein has denied any allegations of non-consensual, criminal or civil sex.
