Weinstein Company Declaring Bankruptcy After Sale Falls Through
Harvey Weinstein, the man who started it all Image by Getty
(JTA) — The Weinstein Company will declare bankruptcy after a $500 million deal to sell the production company fell through.
The company, which has struggled to stay solvent since allegations of sexual misconduct against co-owner Harvey Weinstein were made public in October, made the announcement late on Sunday night in a statement. The company is co-owned by Bob Weinstein. Harvey Weinstein was dismissed from the company shortly after dozens of women came forward to make public accusations.
“While we recognize that this is an extremely unfortunate outcome for our employees, our creditors and any victims, the board has no choice,” the company said in the statement. “Over the coming days, the company will prepare its bankruptcy filing with the goal of achieving maximum value in court.”
The deal reportedly fell through after the group in negotiations to buy the company did not agree to provide interim funding to keep the 150-employee studio in operation until the final deal was signed. The group had offered to pay roughly $275 million for the Weinstein Company, plus the assumption of $225 million in debt.
The sale to the group of investors had been expected to be finalized two weeks ago, but was delayed after the State of New York filed a lawsuit against the Weinstein brothers and their production company for violating laws against sexual harassment and sexual abuse. The civil rights lawsuit calls for the defendants to pay restitution and damages to the victims, something that had not been provided within the framework of the sale of the company.
The sale that collapsed on Sunday was said to include tens of millions of dollars for victims of Harvey Weinstein and a mediation process for reaching settlements, according to the New York Times.
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