Push to reslice pie for rape vics
Judge nixes $46M Harv settlement
A federal judge Tuesday rejected a proposed $46.8 million global settlement against Harvey Weinstein over concerns that his accusers’ claims are too disparate for a class action.
“Women who have been raped are entitled to a much greater recovery than women who just met Harvey Weinstein,” ruled US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein during a video hearing in Manhattan federal court. “[The] settlement would create an equality among those people.”
The class-action groups together staffers who were harassed by the former Miramax boss but not sexually molested and women who have accused Weinstein of sexual assault and rape.
The judge’s decision comes after more than seven women objected to the proposed settlement touted last month by state Attorney General Letitia
James, whose office helped negotiate the agreement.
“We will review the decision and determine next steps,” said an AG spokeswoman of the ruling. “Our office has been fighting tirelessly to provide these brave women with the justice they are owed and will continue to do so.”
The deal earmarked about $19 million, minus attorneys’ fees, for the victims. Lawyer Douglas
Wigdor, who represents six women who objected to the settlement, had called it one-sided and unfair.
“[We] are pleased that Judge Hellerstein swiftly rejected the one-sided proposal,” Wigdor said of the deal that had been in the works for 18 months. “On behalf of our clients, we look forward to pursuing justice against Harvey Weinstein and his many enablers.” Wigdor had argued in court papers that the settlement would have paid out a paltry $10,000 to $20,000 to a majority of the victims — while setting aside about $15 million to cover the attorneys’ fees for Weinstein,
his brother, Robert Weinstein, and The Weinstein Company’s board of directors.
Meanwhile, the company’s insurance companies would have had to pay a nominal amount toward the deal, then would be released from any future liability, Wigdor wrote.
Wigdor — who represents Rowena Chiu, Wedil David, Dominique Huett, Zelda Perkins, Kaja Sokola and Tarale Wulf — said Weinstein would not have had to admit any wrongdoing or pay a penny of his own money toward the settlement.
The disgraced movie mogul was sentenced in March to 23 years in prison after a Manhattan jury convicted him of rape and other charges.
Weinstein lawyer Imran Ansari declined to comment on the judge’s ruling.