Harvey Weinstein Files Lawsuit Against Brother Bob | Entertainment & Arts News

Harvey Weinstein has initiated a lawsuit against his brother and other executives at their previous film production company, The Weinstein Company.

The embattled producer lodged the lawsuit on Thursday, claiming that his brother Bob Weinstein and other company executives misled him into guaranteeing a $45 million loan in 2016, only to misappropriate the funds for personal gain.

The 72-year-old, once one of Hollywood’s most formidable figures, is currently incarcerated at Rikers Island in New York City, awaiting a retrial on charges related to sexual crimes.

Weinstein’s allegations arise from a protracted civil case in which a lender accuses him of defaulting on the loan.

His attorney, Imran Ansari, commented: “Harvey Weinstein was misled by those he trusted most and secured a $45 million (£35.8 million) loan under the guise of rescuing The Weinstein Company.”

He continued: “While Harvey personally guaranteed this loan, other individuals at The Weinstein Company enriched themselves and deliberately undermined him, leaving him to shoulder the burden of debt while they ‘lined their pockets’ during a crisis.”

Ansari claims that Bob Weinstein, 70, and other executives conspired to set Harvey Weinstein up for failure in an effort to gain control of the company, which declared bankruptcy in 2018 amidst the sexual misconduct scandal surrounding its co-founder.

In 2017, Harvey Weinstein became the central figure in the #MeToo Movement when multiple women accused him of sexual assault. He has consistently maintained that any sexual encounters he had were consensual.

A lawyer representing Bob Weinstein, Brian Kohn, stated on Friday that “Harvey’s allegations lack any merit whatsoever”.

Also named in Weinstein’s lawsuit is former Weinstein Company Chief Operating Officer David Glasser, who currently serves as CEO of 101 Studios, recognized for producing the hit Paramount series Yellowstone. He has not yet responded to requests for comment.

AI International Holdings provided the loan to two affiliates of The Weinstein Company and Harvey Weinstein, subsequently filing a lawsuit when they claimed a default occurred.

Weinstein asserts that his brother, Glasser, and others deceived him into securing the loan by claiming it would help the financially distressed company. However, his complaint alleges that they diverted millions from the company for improper purposes, resulting in financial shortfalls and leaving him liable for loan repayment.

“These actions led to a loss of at least $12 million (£9.5 million) in cash that should have been allocated for repaying the loan owed to AI International,” the lawsuit states.

“The mismanagement rendered the companies incapable of fulfilling their financial obligations, leading to insolvency and placing Weinstein at significant personal financial risk as the loan guarantor.”

The lawsuit, submitted to the state Supreme Court in Manhattan, claims that Weinstein has endured “extreme and outrageous financial and reputational damage”.

Moreover, it includes several allegations of financial misconduct against Bob Weinstein, Glasser, and others involved.

AI International Holdings initiated a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and the two affiliates of The Weinstein Company in late 2017. This lawsuit claimed they defaulted on the loan after AI International demanded the full balance be paid immediately due to Harvey Weinstein’s removal as co-chairman amidst sexual misconduct accusations.

According to Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and Glasser settled their liabilities regarding the loan with AI International for approximately $15 million (£12 million) through “bad faith negotiations,” leaving Harvey Weinstein responsible for the remaining $30 million (£24 million) plus interest.

Harvey Weinstein’s lawsuit seeks to protect him from any financial responsibility for the loan, while also demanding punitive damages for alleged fraud, financial misconduct, and the reimbursement of his legal fees.

Recently, Bob Weinstein requested the judge to dismiss subpoenas for documents and a deposition issued by Harvey Weinstein’s attorney.

Harvey Weinstein was also a co-founder of the film and television production firm Miramax, known for producing Oscar-winning films such as Shakespeare In Love, Pulp Fiction, and The Crying Game.

His successful career rapidly came to an end after charges were filed against him following multiple allegations in 2017.

He is currently facing retrial on charges that he forcibly performed a sex act on a production assistant in 2006 and raped an aspiring actress in 2013. Additionally, another charge filed in September accuses him of carrying out a sex act on a different woman at a Manhattan hotel in 2006.

Weinstein, who suffers from chronic myeloid leukemia, diabetes, and heart issues, has urged the judge to expedite his retrial, asserting: “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”

Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction and 23-year prison sentence were overturned last year when an appeals court determined that the trial judge had improperly allowed testimony against him based on allegations not included in the original case.