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A Delaware bankruptcy judge approved a settlement of more than $ 17 million for women who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct. Under that agreement, the accusers would file claims and the amount they would receive would depend on the type of allegation.
“We worked closely with many of the survivors of Harvey Weinstein who wanted a resolution that would provide a safe and confidential recovery process, and today we are proud to share that the bankruptcy court has approved a plan that provides for exactly that process,” said lawyer Beth Fegan, who represented many women in the liquidation process.
“This bankruptcy plan ensures that the survivors of Harvey Weinstein will have an opportunity to be heard in a secure and confidential process. While there is never enough compensation or redress to correct these errors, we are immensely honored to represent our brave and resilient customers who, in the face of adverse decisions, have continued to advocate for a fund for all survivors, ”said Fegan in a statement. “This plan really leverages the voices of the survivors and, as evidenced by the support of the majority of the settlement, we are excited to have come up with a solution that enables each woman to do what is right for her.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James commented in an e-mailed statement: “The Court has affirmed the will of the survivors of the rapist Harvey Weinstein: a comprehensive fund for survivors. My office is committed to helping ensure the maximum award for as many survivors as possible, including compensation for women with allegations of sexual harassment and abuse outside the statute of limitations and for women who do not wish to be publicly identified. “
“The agreement also frees all women from any confidentiality agreements they may have signed related to Weinstein’s misconduct, a critical measure to ensure that survivors can share their stories publicly and freely. From the first day, my office has always prioritized the right of survivors to have the opportunity to seek justice on their own terms, and that is exactly what they did ”.
The calculation and settlement process has also caused significant controversy, however.
The Weinstein Company declared bankruptcy in 2018 and that money is being set aside as part of its liquidation plan.
Under this plan, prosecutors are not allowed to file lawsuits against Weinstein Company executives – even if they wish to cancel the deal. And if the accusers want to file lawsuits against Weinstein, they would be entitled to only 25% of everything that could be available to them under this agreement.
You can appeal the settlement plan. And some accusers continue to litigate their civil cases against Weinstein.
Doug Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, who represented several of Weinstein’s accusers, said in a statement: “We hope to continue to fight on behalf of the survivors who seek to hold Harvey Weinstein and his corporate facilitators accountable.”
Weinstein’s lawyer, Imran H. Ansari, defended the deal.
“While there are those who continue to protest against the settlement, which the court found acceptable today, the practical reality is that outside the settlement, the plaintiffs face an uncertain financial recovery, with the bankruptcy of the Weinstein Company, and Mr. Weinstein, who denies o complaints against him, with a current and future financial situation that is far from healthy ”, said Ansari in a note. “Those who shout loudly seem to ignore, for whatever reason, that many parties wanted this deal to be successful, which is important, it’s not just Weinstein’s defendants, but the plaintiffs themselves, who probably recognize that it’s the only way to a realistic recovery. “
Weinstein was convicted of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal act last February after a six-week trial in Manhattan. He also faces charges of sexual assault in Los Angeles.