With its bankruptcy, the Weinstein Co. has tossed out the non-disclosure agreements that officials say its co-founder and former CEO Harvey Weinstein wielded as a weapon in his sexual predation, bringing with it the possibility of a whole new wave of victims coming forward, the Associated press reported. "Since October, it has been reported that Harvey Weinstein used non-disclosure agreements as a secret weapon to silence his accusers," a Weinstein Co. statement said. "Effective immediately, those 'agreements' end. No one should be afraid to speak out or coerced to stay quiet." The rare move from a major business is likely to send new witnesses and victims to media outlets and investigators, which put out fresh calls Tuesday for their stories. That's because the Weinstein Co. only has the power to end agreements made by the company and not Weinstein himself, meaning the decision’s effect will be primarily on current and former employees. Cris Armenta, a lawyer representing accusers in a proposed class-action lawsuit against the Weinstein Co., said she fears that because so many of the agreements are with Weinstein himself and still apply, the impact may not be major. Read more.
Don't miss the "Restructuring a Firm After Discrimination or Sexual Harassment Claims" panel at the Annual Spring Meeting. Click here to watch a panel preview and click here to register.
