UK Edition
Harvey Weinstein's lawyers in talks to settle series of civil suits alleging sexual misconduct
Lawyers for disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein are in talks to settle a series of civil suits brought against him, it was reported on Tuesday.
Weinstein, 66, has enlisted a team of high-powered lawyers to fight his multiple legal battles, and the Wall Street Journal said that talks for the civil cases would begin in November.
Any civil settlement would not affect the criminal case currently being processed in New York, where three women accused him of criminal conduct which saw him charged in May. On October 11 one of the six charges against him was dismissed, and he is contesting the remaining five charges.
A major goal of the settlement talks, which are still in early stages, is to create a victims fund, the paper claimed.
The alleged victims’ lawyers are believed to be asking for more than $100 million, and the insurers offering to pay a fraction of that.
Insurance companies including Chubb and Travelers Cos. have filed their own lawsuits against Weinstein, arguing their policies do not cover his legal expenses.
The talks are also aimed at resolving issues of who would be eligible for compensation.
Many of the 80 women who have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault have not pressed charges. Those that have are spread around the world, with accusers in California, New York, the UK, and Canada.
At least two lawyers have suggested filing a class-action case.
Adding to the complications, some of the claims could face obstacles such as the statute of limitations.
Representatives for The Weinstein Company, the production firm founded by Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob, are due to attend the meetings. The company filed for bankruptcy in March.
Barbara Underwood, the attorney general for New York state, said the office’s civil-rights lawsuit, which was filed in February, remains active and the investigation is ongoing.
“As has been the case from the start, our priorities include ensuring that victims are sufficiently compensated, employees are protected moving forward and perpetrators and enablers of the misconduct are not unjustly enriched,” said a spokeman for Mrs Underwood.
Elior Shiloh, a lawyer who represents Weinstein, said: “We are actively defending ourselves against claims made against Mr Weinstein.”
Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex.