Well here's something disgusting, courtesy of TMZ: Harvey Weinstein's contract permitted him to settle sexual harassment cases and stay employed, so long as he wrote a check to the company. TMZ gained access to Weinstein's contract from 2015.
Ironically, these contract details could mean that he may have been fired from his company illegally. Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Company after the New York Times published an explosive article alleging a pattern of sexual harassment and assault claims over decades. Since then, many actresses have gone on the record to speak of how Weinstein acted inappropriately around them.
TMZ is also reporting that Weinstein will challenge his firing.
#BREAKING Harvey Weinstein Will Challenge Firing at Next Board Meeting https://t.co/6KoH46frwy via @TMZ
— Anthony Dominic (@tmzanthony) October 13, 2017
Weinstein has since checked into a sexual addiction rehab.
From TMZ (Emphasis added):
According to the contract, if Weinstein "treated someone improperly in violation of the company's Code of Conduct," he must reimburse TWC for settlements or judgments. Additionally, "You [Weinstein] will pay the company liquidated damages of $250,000 for the first such instance, $500,000 for the second such instance, $750,000 for the third such instance, and $1,000,000 for each additional instance."
The contract says as long as Weinstein pays, it constitutes a "cure" for the misconduct and no further action can be taken. Translation -- Weinstein could be sued over and over and as long as he wrote a check, he keeps his job.
The contract has specific language as to when the Board of Directors can fire Weinstein -- if he's indicted or convicted of a crime, but that doesn't apply here.
This is sickening. Further, with this knowledge, how can anyone, especially people high up in the company, claim to not know about these allegations? It was literally spelled out in his contract. Hollywood shielded a serial sexual abuser. This is beyond shameful.