BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - New York State's attorney general and lawyers in a class-action lawsuit say Harvey Weinstein and his former studio's board have reached a nearly $19 million settlement with dozens of sexual misconduct accusers.
The agreement was announced late Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Chicago attorney Elizabeth Fegan.
“Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Company failed their female employees. After all the harassment, threats and discrimination, these survivors are finally receiving some justice,” said James.
James also thanked "the brave women" who came forward to share their stories.
The deal lets women make claims of between $7,500 and $750,000. It would resolve claims in a New York state lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit pending in federal court.
It also releases women who signed confidentiality, non-disclosure or non-disparagement agreements from those clauses. They would be "free to tell their stories without fear of retribution," James said.
The former Hollywood producer was convicted earlier this year of rape and sexual assault against two women. Accusations by dozens of women in 2017 destroyed his career and gave rise to #MeToo, the global movement to hold powerful men accountable for their sexual misconduct.
Louisette Geiss, one of the driving forces behind survivors’ work, said Weinstein took away the dreams of many women.
“Harvey Weinstein left a trail of trauma that was crushing for many women," Geiss said. "This important act of solidarity allowed us to use our collective voice to help those who had been silenced and to give back to the many, many survivors who lost their careers and more. There is no amount of money that can make up for this injustice, but I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished today.”