Harvey Weinstein Won't Have To Pay Accusers Directly Or Admit Wrongdoing In Tentative Settlement
Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein has reached a tentative $25 million settlement with his accusers, according to the New York Times. Since 2017, more than 30 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct—ranging from inappropriate groping to rape. (Weinstein has denied all claims of nonconsensual sex.) And their stories helped ignite the worldwide #MeToo movement.
While the accusations had a significant impact in the cultural conversation, some of his victims have continued to pursue justice through the legal process. But the New York Times reports that the terms of the tentative settlement agreement (which still have to be approved in court) mean that all the victims will have to divide the $25 million sum and Weinstein will never have to spend a dime of his own fortune or admit wrongdoing.
If the deal goes through, the funds will be paid out through insurance companies representing the Weinstein Company, which is in bankruptcy proceedings. The amount of the full settlement is closer to $47 million, a figure which includes the balances owed to other creditors and other legal fees. Of the leftovers, 18 victims will split $6.2 million (with each awarded no more than $500,000) and $18.5 million will go to a group that was part of a class-action case in New York. The victims will have to drop all charges against Weinstein and other executives, according to the Times.
Several claimants spoke to the Times and shared that while the settlement terms aren’t ideal, they plan to agree to it for various reasons. Katherine Kendall, who has alleged that Weinstein chased her around nude in his apartment in 1993, accepted the settlement in part because she “didn’t want to block fellow plaintiffs from getting whatever recompense they could.”
“I don’t love it, but I don’t know how to go after him,” she said. “I don’t know what I can really do.” Genie Harrison, a lawyer representing a former employee of Weinstein’s, added that she felt that waiting for new terms could leave her clients with nothing.
Weinstein still faces a criminal prosecution trial in January 2020 on charges of sexual assault that led to his arrest in 2018.