Weinstein’s $38 million deal for accusers

Harvey Weinstein, the shamed Hollywood film producer, has reached a tentative US$25 million (NZ$38m) settlement together with the board of his bankrupt film studio with more than 30 of those who accuse him of sexual misconduct.

The deal will not require him to admit wrongdoing or personally pay anything to his alleged victims, lawyers involved in the case said yesterday.

That would mean an end to nearly all civil lawsuits by actresses and former employees who accused Weinstein of offences ranging from sexual harassment to rape. The compensation would be funded by insurers for the former Weinstein Co studio and Weinstein would not be required to admit wrongdoing or to pay anything. The payout would also be shared by potential claimants.

Weinstein, 67, has been accused of sexual misconduct dating back decades by more than 70 women. He has denied the allegations, saying that any sexual encounters were consensual.

The tentative settlement still requires court approval and for all parties involved to approve it.

Weinstein had claimed that he might soon file for personal bankruptcy, lawyers for the plaintiffs said. Under the terms of this deal he will not be paying personally.

Weinstein’s accusers include Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek. None has been a part of the civil proceedings. Ashley Judd, the actress, is suing Weinstein in a separate lawsuit that would not be part of the civil deal.

The civil litigation is separate from criminal charges that Weinstein faces in New York, where prosecutors have accused him of sexually assaulting two women, one in 2006 and another in 2013. A trial is scheduled for January 6 and Weinstein could face life in prison if convicted on the most serious charges. – The Times