A federal judge in New York on Tuesday rejected a proposed civil settlement that would have created a nearly $19 million fund for dozens of women who suffered sexual misconduct and harassment at the hands of disgraced film producer and major Democrat donor Harvey Weinstein.
Despite the attorney general’s approval of the settlement, District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected the deal. Weinstein was not to be required to admit any responsibility for his actions, nor was he expected to contribute any of his own money to the fund.
“We have been saying for over a year and a half that the settlement terms and conditions were unfair and should never be imposed on sexual assault survivors,” attorney Douglas Wigdor wrote in a statement. He said he was “pleased that Judge Hellerstein swiftly rejected the one-sided proposal.”
Lawyers for several women were angry that survivors who did not want to accept the settlement would have been prevented from pursuing other legal avenues.