Report: Weinstein's Accusers to Tentatively Get $25M

Settlement agreement would not require him to admit wrongdoing: NYT
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 11, 2019 2:59 PM CST
Report: Weinstein, Accusers Looking at a $25M Deal
Harvey Weinstein, center, leaves court following a bail hearing, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 in New York.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

On the same day Harvey Weinstein's bail was jacked way up in his criminal case, big news also made headlines in his civil case: The producer and the board of his bankrupt film studio have reached a tentative settlement deal with many of his alleged victims, the New York Times reports, citing lawyers involved in negotiations. The $25 million settlement agreement would not require Weinstein to admit any wrongdoing, and the money would be paid out by insurance companies representing his former studio, not Weinstein himself. It would be part of an overall $47 million settlement meant to close out all of the Weinstein Company's obligations from both the accusers and creditors as it goes through bankruptcy proceedings. The settlement would be shared by more than 30 women who have sued Weinstein for alleged sexual misdeeds, with some set aside for potential future claimants.

"Nearly every such lawsuit" against Weinstein and his company would be settled under the deal, which took two years to hash out, per the Times. One notable lawsuit not covered by it is Ashley Judd's. The actress has said she intends to go to trial. The deal has gotten preliminary approval by those involved, but court approval and a final signoff are still needed. Some accusers tell the Times they're disappointed with the proposed settlement but felt that holding out for something better might ultimately have left them with nothing; the company's entrance into bankruptcy had already caused the potential payout amount to fall sharply. Two women decided to exclude themselves from the proposed deal and challenge it instead; the attorneys for one of those women tells E! the deal is "shameful." (More Harvey Weinstein stories.)

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