Weinstein Reaches $44 Million Settlement With His Victims

It’s been a while since we’ve heard much about the whole ordeal that seemingly launched 1,000 #MeToo ships.

The New York Times  is now reporting that Harvey Weinstein and his former studio’s board members have reached a $44 million dollar settlement agreement to resolve the multiple lawsuits filed by women who claim to have been victimized by his sexual misconduct.

The outcome of the settlement talks will be especially notable because the lawsuits are one of the main avenues by which Mr. Weinstein could be held responsible for his alleged actions.

He is facing criminal charges in New York for allegations of sexual violence against two women. But more than 80 women have accused him of wrongdoing, and many of those complaints involve sexual harassment, which is a civil violation, not a criminal one. So the details of any settlement — such as whether it includes an admission of wrongdoing by Mr. Weinstein — would carry significant symbolism.

The proposed sum is less than half of what was initially discussed as a victims’ fund as part of conversations last year between an investor group that was interested in buying assets of the Weinstein Company and Eric T. Schneiderman, who was then New York’s attorney general. That proposed deal, which fell apart at the last minute, included a victims’ fund worth up to $90 million.

Under the proposed terms of the new deal, about $30 million would go to a pool of plaintiffs that includes alleged victims, creditors of Mr. Weinstein’s former studio and some former employees, according to the people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement was private. The balance would go to legal fees for associates of Mr. Weinstein, including board members named as defendants in lawsuits.

Insurance policies would cover the $44 million if the current agreement is finalized.

One “victim” is notably not satisfied by this:

Ashley Judd’s case against Harvey Weinstein is ongoing and we intend to bring it to trial. She is not a party of any settlement.

— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) May 24, 2019

Hmm. Interesting.