A group of Harvey Weinstein accusers sent an open letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James, blasting her for supporting a global civil settlement that would pay out a paltry sum to his victims.
“The settlement is insulting to all of the survivors in that it represents a small fraction of what should be paid by Weinstein, his former directors and officers, and large multi-billion dollar insurance companies,” the letter states.
The $25 million deal would settle the civil claims of upward of 100 actresses and former employees who have accused the convicted rapist of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape.
Weinstein wouldn’t have to admit any wrongdoing or pay a cent of the settlement or his own lawyers’ fees, according to The New York Times. The sum would be paid out by insurance companies backing the Weinstein Company.
The class-action lawyers at the helm of the negotiations in Manhattan federal court “will be paid millions, while victims will receive only a small fraction” of the settlement, the letter alleges.
The seven accusers who signed the letter — Rowena Chiu, Zelda Perkins, Wedil David, Kaja Sokolow, Dominique Huett, Zoe Brock and Ali Canosa — want to proceed with their own civil claims. But they say that this settlement would hurt their ability to press on.
The agreement would give the Weinstein Company’s insurers general releases from future claims so that even if an accuser obtained a judgment, the bankrupt film studio wouldn’t have to pay it, according to the letter.
If the women reject the deal, the money allocated to their claim will be turned over to Harvey and his brother, Bob Weinstein, for their defense, the accusers wrote.
“The Attorney General’s Office will effectively be working to recover funds on behalf of Harvey Weinstein (a convicted felon) to fill a war chest to be used for his ongoing campaign against his victims,” the letter charges. “There is nothing fair or just about this.”
In a dig at James, the accusers say if she signs off on this deal, she’ll be “less protective of survivors than your elected predecessor” referring to disgraced former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who resigned in 2018 amid allegations of domestic violence. Schneiderman had first brought the civil legal action against Weinstein.
“You have spent your career defending the weak over the powerful and fought on behalf of the innocent,” the accusers wrote. “We implore you to personally intervene to ensure that a fair settlement is reached in which all victims are afforded the level of justice and dignity they deserve.”
Weinstein was convicted Feb. 24 of one count each of criminal sex act for forcibly performing oral sex on a former “Project Runway” production assistant and third-degree rape for an attack on a hairdresser.
“Many survivors of Harvey Weinstein want to hold him accountable and should not be penalized for not wanting to accept a terrible civil settlement,” said attorney Douglas Wigdor who represents five of the seven victims who signed the letter.
The AG’s office said in a statement: “Attorney General James has been steadfast in her pursuit of justice for victims. Since the emergence of allegations in 2017, our office has sought to hold Harvey Weinstein accountable for his conduct against women. We remain keenly focused on providing these brave women with the justice they are owed and to fight for the best settlement that is possible in bankruptcy court.”
Weinstein is scheduled to be sentenced March 11 and faces up to 29 years in prison.