WEINSTEIN VICTIMS TO RECEIVE US$19M PAYOUT

NEW YORK: Women who suffered sexual misconduct and workplace harassment by convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein are set to receive almost US$19 million (RM81 million) as part of a class action lawsuit, New York’s attorney-general Letitia James announced on Tuesday. The payments, which need to be approved by two courts, are the result of a lawsuit brought against the ex-movie mogul – currently serving 23 years in prison – and his former film studio The Weinstein Company. The lawsuit said Weinstein “demanded or forced female employees to engage in unwanted sexual contact as a quid pro quo for continued employment or career advancement”. Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for several of Weinstein’s victims, said he would object to the proposed settlement in court. – AFP