New York, NY — In a remarkable twist in the saga of the infamous Weinstein Co., jailed co-founder Harvey Weinstein has initiated a lawsuit against his brother Bob Weinstein and former company COO David Glasser. While serving time on Rikers Island and battling severe health issues, Harvey Weinstein alleges that the pair siphoned funds from the entertainment company before its financial collapse, an accusation that adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing legal drama surrounding the once-powerhouse film studio.
The lawsuit, lodged in a New York State court, claims that Harvey Weinstein’s brother and Glasser pilfered company money to pay themselves outsized bonuses among other unauthorized expenditures. This legal move is in response to a previously inactive breach of contract case initiated by Len Blavatnik’s AI International Holdings, which claimed that Harvey Weinstein had not upheld a personal guarantee related to a $45 million loan.
The case against Harvey Weinstein by AI International Holdings was halted when Weinstein Co. declared bankruptcy in 2018 but was dismissed in March 2023 with the acknowledgment that collecting from the incarcerated Harvey Weinstein was implausible. Following the dismissal, Harvey Weinstein’s legal team pivoted to accuse former Weinstein Co. officers and directors of financial misconduct, describing their actions metaphorically as “looting a burning house.”
In a significant procedural development, Harvey Weinstein issued a subpoena in November to his brother Bob Weinstein as part of the AI International Holdings case, demanding both a deposition and various corporate documents. Bob Weinstein’s attorney, Brian Kohn, responded by attempting to quash the subpoena in January, labeling it a harassing maneuver rooted in longstanding personal animosities and devoid of legal merit.
Kohn further argued that any such legal actions were now redundant, given the 2021 decision by a bankruptcy judge to distribute the remaining assets of Weinstein Co. to its creditors. This resolution, according to Kohn, leaves no room for Harvey Weinstein’s lawsuit which he deems frivolous. He also called for sanctions against Harvey Weinstein and his legal counsel, insisting that Bob Weinstein be compensated for the costs associated with responding to the “baseless” subpoena.
Harvey Weinstein’s attorney countered that the subpoena was a legitimate part of their investigative efforts tied directly to the relevant litigation with AI International Holdings.
Amid these legal battles, Harvey Weinstein, age 72, is preparing for a retrial in Manhattan on separate rape charges set for April. This retrial follows the overturning of his initial conviction by New York’s Court of Appeals last year. Additionally, Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in a Los Angeles case for similar charges. He currently suffers from various health issues, including bone marrow cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes, all of which complicate his already precarious legal and physical state.
This case underscores not only the ongoing financial fallout from the Weinstein Co. bankruptcy but also the intricate personal and legal entanglements that continue to emerge from the scandal that rocked Hollywood and spurred broader societal conversations about sexual misconduct.
DISCLAIMER: This article was automatically written by Open AI, meaning details about people, facts, circumstances, and storyline might be inaccurate. Corrections, retractions, or removal requests can be sent to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.