New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office said in a statement that it “will review the decision and determine next steps.”
“Our office has been fighting tirelessly to provide these brave women with the justice that is due to them and will continue to do so,” said James spokeswoman Kelly Donnelly.
Federal District Judge Alvin Hellerstein issued the ruling Tuesday.
The settlement stems from a 2018 civil rights lawsuit filed by the attorney general’s office against Weinstein, Robert Weinstein, and Weinstein’s companies at large for “egregious violations of New York’s civil rights, human rights, and business laws.”
Douglas H. Wigdor, attorney for several of Weinstein’s accusers, said: “We have been saying for more than a year and a half that the terms and conditions of the settlement were unfair and should never be imposed on survivors of sexual assault.
“We were surprised that the class’s attorney and the New York Attorney General did not recognize this fact, but we are pleased that Judge Hellerstein quickly rejected the unilateral proposal,” he added. “On behalf of our clients, we hope to pursue justice against Harvey Weinstein and his many facilitators.”
CNN has sought comment from Weinstein’s representatives.
Lawyers for several of the accusers filed a brief 36-page report on Monday asking the court to oppose the request for preliminary approval of the civil-class agreement announced in early July.
Wigdor and attorneys Kevin Mintzer and Bryan Arbeit in a statement called the proposal “the most impartial and unfair settlement we have ever seen in court.
“Under no circumstances should former super wealthy directors, including Harvey and Bob Weinstein, receive more money than a class of rape and sexual assault survivors.”
The attorneys said they disagreed with the agreement and deemed it deeply unfair for various reasons, including that Weinsten does not accept responsibility for his actions.
Under the plan, a victim compensation fund of $ 18,875,000 would have been created and distributed to “women who experienced a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and gender discrimination while working at The Weinstein Company, as well as sexual abuse by Harvey Weinstein, “said the attorney general’s office.
As part of the settlement, survivors would also be released from confidentiality, nondisclosure, or non-disclosure agreements with The Weinstein Company or any of the company’s former representatives related to any sexual misconduct by Weinstein. They would be free to tell their stories without fear of retaliation, prosecutors said.
Weinstein’s civil attorney Imran Ansari said earlier this month that Weinstein “remains focused on defending himself on all remaining legal matters, including appealing his criminal conviction, civil suits and the charges brought against him in Los Angeles.”
Weinstein is serving 23 years in prison in New York after being convicted of committing a first degree criminal sexual act and third degree rape. He faces several charges in Los Angeles, including forced rape, sexual penetration by use of force, and sexual assault. Weinstein has denied the allegations.
CNN’s Brian Vitagliano contributed to this report.
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