Harvey Weinstein Proposed $25M Settlement “Appaling,” Says Lawyer; Producer Could Get Millions Intended For Victims
and other members of the now bankrupt Weinstein Company board, with all present and potentially future claims against them ended. Again and again, attorneys and others with knowledge of the case pinpointed attorney Elizabeth Fagan as pushing for the settlement, both in the past and most recently.
Several individuals note that lead lawyer in the class action first filed by Louisette Geiss and othersagainst Weinstein and board members has been prominent in negotiation for an overall comprehensive conclusion to the matter. Representatives for Fagan did not reply to request for comment from Deadline. In this potential conclusion, about $6.2 million would split among 18 identified victims of Weinstein’s now much documented alleged sexual harassment and sexual assaults, with no one individual getting more than $500,000. If a named victim declines to accept the payout, that $500,000 will go to Weinstein himself for any legal defense he may have to mount against a new case from that individual. “It is an appalling way to treat rape victims and anyone involved in negotiating or approving that provision should be ashamed,” attorney Kevin Mintzer stated emphatically to Deadline of the possibility of millions going to Weinstein from a settlement intended to address his alleged vile behavior. Mintzer and his partner Douglas Wigdor represent Wedil David and a Jane Doe who was previously part of the class action with Louisette Geiss. “If a deal as reported is ever presented to a court, we will use every means at our disposal to oppose it,” the NYC-based Mintzer also said. Currently out on a newly imposed bail of $5 million, a hobbling Harvey Weinstein faces a multi-count criminal trial next month for rape that could see him behind bars for the rest of his life if found guilty. In an additional understanding with New York Attorney General Letitia James, a further $18 million in the proposed settlement would be carved up for the lawsuit instigated by her predecessor Eric Schneiderman, who resigned in mid-2018 as his personal peccadillos became public fodder, plus another class action and possible claims to come. The remainder of the overall $47 million is ear marked for other obligations of the now sold off TWC. Oddly, when contacted by Deadline today after news of the tentative settlement was first reported by the New York Times, Letitia James’ office declined comment on whether they had signed off on the deal – which several sources have insisted to Deadline the NY AG had. Representatives for Harvey Weinstein did not respond to request for comment on this potential deal.“We reject the notion that this was the best settlement that could have been achieved on behalf of the victims,” proclaimed Douglas Wigdor on Wednesday, along with his partner Kevin Mintzer. “It is shameful that $12 million of the settlement is going to the lawyers for the directors who we alleged enabled Harvey Weinstein and it is even more outrageous that the proposed settlement will seek to bind non-participating members by providing a release to the insurance companies and the directors of the Weinstein Company itself,” the New York lawyer expounded. On the other hand,TIME’S UP Foundation’s COO Rebecca Goldman saw possible closure for some in the settlement. “This settlement is more than a math problem – it’s a symptom of a problematic, broken system that privileges powerful abusers at the expense of survivors,” Goldman expressed Wednesday of the reported deal. “While this settlement is flawed, we know it represents the hard work of several survivors of Harvey Weinstein. We hope it brings them, and perhaps others, some small measure of justice and relief that is long overdue. “Today and every day, TIME’S UP is in solidarity with the more than 80 survivors who bravely spoke out against Weinstein, catalyzing a worldwide reckoning for justice. With them, we will continue to fight until sexual harassment and assault at work are gone for good.”Subscribe to
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