Harvey Weinstein reportedly reaches tentative $25 million deal with accusers

Harvey Weinstein GETTY IMAGES

Harvey Weinstein and the board of his former film studio reached a tentative agreement Wednesday with more than 30 of his accusers on a $25 million settlement, according to The New York Times. If the deal was to go through, it would end many of the civil lawsuits brought against the disgraced movie producer.

According to the terms of the settlement, Weinstein — who has been accused of various forms of sexual misconduct, including rape — would not have to admit wrongdoing or pay any of his accusers with his own money, the Times reports. The women who have brought civil suits against him would instead split a pool of money paid by insurance companies representing The Weinstein Company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2018.

While at least 29 accusers have agreed to the settlement, according to Fegan, the deal is facing considerable criticism and possibly further legal challenges.

“It is shameful that $12 million of the settlement is going to the lawyers for the directors who we alleged enabled Harvey Weinstein and it is even more outrageous that the proposed settlement will seek to bind non-participating members by providing a release to the insurance companies and the directors of the Weinstein Company itself,” attorney Douglas Wigdor said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Weinstein is also facing a criminal trial on rape and sexual assault charges. Weinstein was accused of forcibly performing oral sex on a woman in 2006 and raping another woman in 2013. Earlier on Wednesday, a judge increased Weinstein’s bail from $1 million to $5 million following allegations he had tampered with his electronic ankle monitor.

Weinstein’s trial is set to begin January 6, 2020.

Navy Vet

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