Weinstein Accusers Ask NY AG to Renegotiate ‘Insulting’ $25M

Seven girls who’ve accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct have implored New York’s legal professional basic, Letitia James, to renegotiate the phrases of a $25 million civil settlement that a few of Weinstein’s accusers have tentatively reached with the convicted producer in order that it “adequately compensates victims and doesn’t fund the alleged wrongdoers’ defense.”

The open letter from Zoë Brock, Alexandra Canosa, Rowena Chiu, Wedil David, Dominique Huett, Zelda Perkins, and Kaja Sokola and printed on Medium known as the settlement “insulting to all of the survivors.” The accusers mentioned the cash solely “represents a small fraction of what should be paid by Mr. Weinstein, his former directors and officers, and large multi-billion dollar insurance companies.”

The letter went additional, condemning how the cash could be divided: “By supporting a settlement which takes funds that would otherwise go to a victim to a victimizer, the Attorney General’s Office will effectively be working to recover funds on behalf of Harvey Weinstein to fill a war chest to be used for his ongoing campaign against his victims. We would ask that you, as Attorney General, closely examine the proposed settlement and renegotiate the terms so that the victims’ fund adequately compensates victims and doesn’t fund the alleged wrongdoers’ defense, and swiftly reject the punitive terms applicable to non-settling victims which put such severe restrictions on their ability to pursue justice on their own terms.”

Also Read: How Harvey Weinstein’s Survivors Will Split Expected $25 Million Settlement

“Attorney General James has been steadfast in her pursuit of justice for victims. Since the emergence of allegations in 2017, our office has sought to hold Harvey Weinstein accountable for his conduct against women. We remain keenly focused on providing these brave women with the justice they are owed and to fight for the best settlement that is possible in bankruptcy court,” a spokesperson for James informed TheWrap in an announcement.

Last December, greater than 30 accusers reached a tentative settlement with Weinstein and his now-bankrupt firm that may primarily do away with all excellent lawsuits. $25 million of the $47 million settlement could be for victims; of that $25 million, $6.2 million could be break up amongst 18 of his accusers, with none of these 18 people to obtain greater than $500,000.

The remaining $18.5 million allotted for the accusers could be a part of a pool of cash for these in a class-action go well with towards Weinstein, the New York Attorney General’s civil go well with towards Weinstein, and any future claimants. To decide how these funds are allotted, a court-appointed monitor will make calculations primarily based on the hurt precipitated to every sufferer.

“Survivors are being presented with a ‘choice’ of accepting an unfair settlement that is a fraction of what was originally discussed and for which the main wrongdoers are paying nothing, or proceed against a company that has been stripped of all assets and against our sexual assaulter, whose defense will be funded by the very agreement that would otherwise have been turned down,” the seven girls additionally wrote. “There is nothing fair or just about this.”