Six Harvey Weinstein accusers file opposition to $18.9million New York settlement

Six Harvey Weinstein accusers urged a judge to reject an $18.9million settlement with the disgraced movie mogul and the board of his former studio, slamming it as a ‘cruel hoax’ on Monday.   

The settlement announced on June 30 would end litigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James and separate class-action litigation, and permit accusers to claim $7,500 to $750,000 each.

But in a Manhattan federal court filing Monday, the six women said accusers would receive just $11.2 million after deducting legal fees and costs, with typical awards of just $10,000 to $20,000, while shielding the defendants’ insurers from big payouts. 

The opposition document was filed on Monday by attorneys for accusers Wedil David, Dominique Huett, Kaja Sokola, Rowena Chiu, Zelda Perkins and Tarale Wulff, according to The Wrap.

On Monday six Harvey Weinstein accusers urged a judge to reject an $18.9million settlement presented on June 30, slamming it as a ‘cruel hoax’ where the disgraced movie mogul doesn’t take any accountability

They slammed the settlement as a ‘cruel hoax’ and one of ‘the most one-sided and unfair class settlements in history’. 

‘The main winners … are Harvey Weinstein, Robert Weinstein, and the ultra-wealthy former directors of The Weinstein Co.,’ the filing says.

The women complain that the settlement ‘absolved’ Weinstein, his brother Bob Weinstein and the board of liability, while while setting aside another $15.2 million to help cover their defense costs. 

Lauren Young (left) and Jessica Mann (right) at Weinstein’s trial where they both took the stand on March 11

Louisette Geiss, lead plaintiff in Weinstein class action suit, speaks alongside a group of Silence Breakers on February 25, 2020

‘Equally reprehensible are the millions of dollars going to lawyers, corporations and famous actors at the expense of the survivors, while the insurance companies pay pennies on the dollar and Harvey Weinstein himself pays nothing,’ lawyers said in a joint statement Monday. 

‘The efforts being made to prevent women from continuing with their litigation and holding those responsible for their trauma accountable are simply unprecedented. We are heartened by the growing opposition to this settlement and are hopeful that it will be rejected.’

‘The practical reality is that those who opt out of the settlement face an uncertain financial recovery, with The Weinstein Company bankrupt, and Mr. Weinstein defending legal matters, facing debt and judgments, frozen assets, marital and child support obligations, and a line of creditors looking for compensation,’ Weinstein’s attorney Imran H. Ansari on Monday according to Deadline.

The settlement requires approval by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

Weinstein is currently serving out his sentence at Wende Correctional Facility in Erie County, New York

In 2010, he initially rejected a settlement for workers suffering from health problems after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, saying he would not approve it ‘based on fear or ignorance.’

Weinstein, 68, is serving a 23-year prison term following his February 24 conviction for sexually assaulting a former production assistant and raping a onetime aspiring actress.

The guilty verdict was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which starting in late 2017 inspired women to accuse hundreds of powerful men in business, entertainment, media, politics and other fields of sexual misconduct. 

Though he is appealing his charges, he still faces rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles.