Nine women who accused convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct and filed a class-action lawsuit against him and the Weinstein Company have agreed to an $18.875 million settlement with the former Hollywood mogul. The settlement, which was announced Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Chicago attorney Elizabeth A. Fegan and still needs to be approved in court, would award each of the accusers anywhere from $7,500 to $750,000, while a portion will also go toward establishing a victims’ fund for more of Weinstein’s accusers. Weinstein’s defense attorneys will be paid millions in reimbursement as well.
Though the sum could be considered a victory, some of the legal representatives of the alleged victims are not happy with the outcome. Attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, who represent some of the accusers in lawsuits, have called the agreement “a complete sellout of the Weinstein survivors.” They described it as “deeply unfair,” complaining that Weinstein himself will not be putting up any money toward the nearly $19 million sum.
“We are completely astounded that the Attorney General is taking a victory lap for this unfair and inequitable proposal, and on behalf of our clients, we will be vigorously objecting in court,” Wigdor and Mintzer said.
The women included in the settlement are Louisette Geiss, Sarah Ann Thomas, Melissa Thompson, Melissa Sagemiller, Nannette May, Katherine Kendall, Caitlin Dulany, Larissa Gomes, and an unnamed accuser referred to as Jill Doe. At the height of his still-unfolding scandal, Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct by more than 80 women. He has denied all allegations of nonconsensual acts.
In a separate legal battle in New York brought forth by vindicated accusers Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison in March after being found guilty of rape and committing a criminal sexual act. He was sent to Rikers Island, and was later transferred the Wende Correctional Facility, where he was reportedly diagnosed with coronavirus.
Weinstein’s legal battles are still ongoing, however, as the producer is still facing sex crime charges on three separate incidents in Los Angeles. For the time being, the pandemic has delayed his extradition to the West Coast.
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