Weinstein emerges on zimmerframe as ‘$25m deal struck with accusers’
Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein has struck a “tentative” deal with dozens of his alleged victims, according to a report.
The New York Times says the proposed settlement of $25m (£18.9m) would end nearly every lawsuit filed by those who say they are victims of sexual assault by the former Hollywood producer.
And Weinstein would not have to apologise, or pay from his own bank account as insurers representing the Weinstein Company would cover the settlement’s cost, the report says.
More than 30 actresses and Weinstein employees, who have sued him for accusations ranging from sexual misconduct to rape, have agreed to the deal, according to half a dozen lawyers.
A court would then have to approve the settlement before it is paid out.
Weinstein is also facing a criminal trial in which he faces five charges, all of which he denies, including two of rape, and insists that all of his sexual encounters were consensual.
The charges relate to two women, although more than 70 others have made similar claims against him.
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He was due to face trial in January and if found guilty, could face a life sentence.
As part of the settlement deal, 18 of the alleged victims would split $6.2m (£4.7m) and no individual would receive more than $500,000 (£378,861).
Another $18.5m (£14m) would go to a class-action case, the New York attorney general’s suit which accuses his former studio’s executives and board of failing to protect women from his alleged misconduct, and any future claims, the New York Times reported.
Actress Katherine Kendall, 50, said she agreed to the settlement terms because she did not want to prevent others from receiving compensation.
“I don’t love it, but I don’t know how to go after him. I don’t know what I can really do,” she told the Times.
Weinstein’s bail was increased from $1m (£757,000) to $5m (£3.8m) on Wednesday for allegedly mishandling his electronic ankle monitor.
