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Mediation Results in $44 Million Settlement in Weinsten Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits

Tuesday, June, 18, 2019


Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein will pay $44 million in a settlement reached concerning lawsuits filed by women who accused him of sexual misconduct.  His former film studio’s board members and the New York attorney general’s office were also involved in the settlement.

 

According to the details of the settlement, $30 million will be split between the alleged victims, former Weinstein Company employees and creditors, and their attorneys.  The remaining $14 million will be paid toward legal fees.

 

No one involved in the settlement or the mediation was willing to go on record with a comment about the deal.

 

Reports are the proposal has not yet been completed.  However, details were released during a federal bankruptcy court hearing held in Delaware.  The Weinstein Company had filed for bankruptcy in 2018 after the numerous lawsuits were filed by accusers of Weinstein.  According to the plaintiffs in the suits, Weinstein and his former company were both guilty of misconduct.  There was a class action filed on behalf of the victims, as well as a lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general.

 

The plaintiffs in the class action include more than 80 women -- a list made up of several high-profile actresses and models including Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cara Delevingne.  All came forward with their personal allegations that ranged from sexual harassment and verbal abuse to rape.

 

Mediation lasted several months before a final outcome was reached.  A court filing described the process as “highly adversarial.” Mediation required nearly a dozen sessions throughout the course of a year and the meetings lasted more than 130 hours in total.

 

When completed, the settlement will likely be paid by insurance policies.

 

There is a criminal trial pending for Weinstein.