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NEWS JULY 6, 2020 ¦ 17

Nearly $19 Million Secured
For Weinstein Victims

By Ryan Tarinelli

New York Attorney General Letitia James
announced Tuesday a nearly $19 million
compensation fund for women who were
victimized by disgraced ex-movie producer Harvey
Weinstein.
If the district and bankruptcy courts sign off on
the deal, the payments would resolve the state at-
torney general’s lawsuit and a separately filed class
action suit brought by victims of Weinstein, accord-
ing to James’ office.
Her office says the agreement would also re-
lease women from nondisclosure agreements they
signed with The Weinstein Co., or its former rep-
resentatives, tied to Weinstein’s sexual misconduct.
Nondisclosure agreements, the office said, were Harvey Weinstein at a Manhattan courthouse during jury
used to prevent former workers from talking about deliberations. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

what they experienced. their stories in my heart and never stop fighting for
The compensation fund would be made up of the right of every single person to be able to work
$18,875,000, according to the state attorney general’s harassment-free.”
office, and restitution would be available to “women Lawyers involved in the class action lawsuit
who experienced a hostile work environment, sex- praised the settlement agreement, too. Elizabeth A.
ual harassment, and gender-based discrimination Fegan said it was selfless for the plaintiffs to use a
while working at The Weinstein Company, as well as class action to broker a confidential process “where
sexual abuse by Harvey Weinstein.” all survivors can apply for meaningful relief.”
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison “This settlement is the culmination of several
in March after being convicted on criminal sexual years of hard work by survivors who not only ini-
act and third-degree rape charges. He also faces tiated the #MeToo movement around Weinstein,
criminal charges, including forcible rape, in Cali- but also used their platforms to seek justice for all
fornia. of those who were afraid to come forward for fear
James described the agreement as a win for all of retaliation in Hollywood,” she said in a state-
women who have faced sexual harassment and in- ment.
timidation from their employer. Douglas H. Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, who rep-
“Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Com- resent Weinstein accusers, decried the settlement
pany failed their female employees,” she said in a as unfair and said Weinstein does not accept re-
statement. “After all the harassment, threats, and sponsibility for his actions. In a joint statement, the
discrimination, these survivors are finally receiving attorneys said they will be objecting in court.
some justice.” “The proposed settlement is a complete sellout of
James also thanked the women who came forward the Weinstein survivors and we are surprised that
to tell their stories, saying she will “forever carry
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