Harvey Weinstein has filed a lawsuit against his brother Bob Weinstein and other executives from The Weinstein Company, alleging they deceived him into guaranteeing a $45 million loan in 2016, only to divert funds for personal use.
Currently incarcerated at New York City’s Rikers Island jail, the 72-year-old disgraced producer is awaiting a retrial on sex crime charges. His claims are part of a long-running civil case involving a lender accusing him of defaulting on the loan.
Weinstein’s attorney, Imran Ansari, stated, “Harvey Weinstein was deceived by those closest to him and secured a $45 million loan under the pretense of saving The Weinstein Company. Others within the company enriched themselves while leaving him burdened with the debt.”
The lawsuit alleges that Bob Weinstein and others orchestrated a plot to undermine Harvey Weinstein and position themselves to seize control of the company, which went bankrupt in 2018 amid the fallout from the sexual misconduct scandal surrounding him.
Among those named in the lawsuit is David Glasser, former COO of The Weinstein Company and now CEO of 101 Studios, known for producing the hit series Yellowstone. Glasser has not responded to requests for comment.
AI International Holdings, which provided the loan, sued Weinstein and two affiliates of The Weinstein Company in 2017, accusing them of defaulting. According to Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and Glasser settled their liability for $15 million, leaving Harvey Weinstein responsible for the remaining $30 million plus interest.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan’s state Supreme Court, seeks to shield Weinstein from financial liability for the loan and requests punitive damages for alleged fraud, financial misconduct, and legal fees.
Harvey Weinstein’s once-powerful career in Hollywood ended abruptly in 2017 when he became the central figure in the #MeToo movement, facing numerous allegations of sexual assault. He has consistently denied the allegations, claiming all encounters were consensual.
His legal troubles persist as he faces a retrial on charges of sexual misconduct, with the 2020 conviction and 23-year sentence overturned last year due to an appeals court ruling on unfair testimony. Weinstein, who suffers from chronic health issues, has urged the court to expedite his retrial, stating, “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
