Weinstein Accusers Say $46.8M Settlement is Not Enough for Torment They Endured

By Ellen Cans

Six Harvey Weinstein accusers have filed a motion to block the proposed $46.8 million global settlement against the convicted rapist and his production company, saying it will not deliver a fair deal to the victims. On Monday, Douglas Wigdor, the lawyer for the women, filed the complaint in Manhattan federal court, opposing the deal proposed last month with the help of NYS Attorney General Letitia James.

As reported by the NY Post, the deal only allots $19 million for the victims, and their attorney fees would be subtracted from that amount, leaving considerably less funds to go around, the attorney’s claim says.  Wigdor said the class-action settlement is like a “cruel hoax” for most of the victims, who would only end up with payouts of about $10,000 to $20,000 each.

“The main winners of this deal, if approved, are Harvey Weinstein, Robert Weinstein, and the ultra-wealthy former directors of the Weinstein Company, who will be absolved from liability, contribute nothing to the settlement,” Wigdor wrote.

The $46.8 million deal earmarks roughly $15 million for Weinstein’s own legal fees as well as that of his brother, Robert Weinstein, and The Weinstein Company’s board of directors, none of whom would even be required to admit to any wrongdoing, as per the court papers. Another $7.3 million would go to the company’s creditors.  His brother and TWC’s insurance companies would pay a minimal sum in the arrangement and be released from any future accountability, Wigdor wrote.  In the motion, representing victims Rowena Chiu, Wedil David, Dominique Huett, Zelda Perkins, Kaja Sokola and Tarale Wulf , the lawyer called the agreement “the most one-sided and unfair class settlement in history.”

On Friday, another accuser, model Zoe Brock, also filed a motion to similarly object to the global settlement.  Weinstein’s lawyer says that rejecting this deal in hopes of a larger settlement may not be realistic, as Weinstein’s finances are not in good shape.  “The practical reality is that those who opt-out of the settlement face an uncertain financial recovery, with The Weinstein Company bankrupt, and Mr. Weinstein defending legal matters, facing debt and judgments, frozen assets, marital and child support obligations, and a line of creditors looking for compensation,” said Imran Ansari. “Mr. Weinstein’s current and future financial state is far from healthy, not only has his personal liberty been taken from him, but his financial liberty as well.”  In March, a Manhattan jury found the 67-year-old former movie mogul guilty sentencing him to 23 years in prison.

US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein will have the final say as to whether the global settlement will be finalized, considering the objections.