[imagesource: Reuters]
In February last year, a New York jury found Harvey Weinstein guilty of third-degree rape of Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress, as well as a count of a criminal sexual act in the first degree against Mimi Haley, a former Project Runway production assistant, capping a landmark trial for the #MeToo era.
He responded to his conviction with a statement that painted a clear picture of a man who is incapable of taking responsibility for his actions.
He apparently isn’t doing very well in prison, where he contracted COVID-19, possibly twice, but no one is crying about it.
Further punishment for his crimes has come nearly three years after the Weinstein Co. declared bankruptcy, as US Bankruptcy Judge Mary Walrath confirmed a liquidation plan on Monday that provides a $17,1 million fund for his accusers.
The fund will be divided between more than 50 claimants, with the most serious allegations amounting to payouts of $500 000 or more.
Over to NBC News:
The plan also provides $9.7 million to the former officers and directors of the Weinstein Co., allowing them to pay a portion of their legal bills over the last several years.
The directors and officers — who include Weinstein’s brother, Bob, as well as James Dolan, Tarak Ben Ammar and Lance Maerov — also received releases that absolve them of any potential liability for enabling Weinstein’s conduct.
Walrath says that without the settlement, Weinstein’s accusers would get “minimal if any, recovery”.
The ruling puts an end to a long-running legal battle over the remains of Weinstein’s independent studio.
The company fell apart in 2017 when accusations of rape and sexual misconduct started coming to light, some of which were outlined in the harrowing testimony given by his victims over the course of the trial.
Several insurance carriers will pay out a total sum of $35,2 million to resolve the remaining claims, including some from the Weinstein Co.’s trade creditors.
Ruby Liu, who represents the objectors, isn’t impressed with the payout.
“There are more than monetary considerations that my clients are seeking,” she said.
“They are seeking a finding from a jury that holds all responsible parties accountable. That’s not just Harvey Weinstein.”
Other attorneys argue that it was better to give his victims “closure” rather than making them suffer through years of litigation.
An earlier version of the settlement would have provided a $24.3 million payout to accusers, including women who alleged they were abused in the “Miramax” era, which predated 2005.
But Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected the deal, saying the class action suit that included the Miramax-era accusers was not viable. The settlement was later revised to exclude Miramax, Disney and their insurers.
The claimants will still have the option of going after Weinstein in civil court.
In the grand scheme of things, it isn’t a lot of money, and certainly doesn’t cover the years of emotional trauma that Weinstein inflicted on the women that he assaulted.
[source:nbc]
