A judge just rejected a $19 million settlement between disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and his accusers on Tuesday, going so far as to call it “phony.”

Fox News reported that during a virtual hearing in Manhattan court, U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ruled that the victims are too broad to be grouped together in a settlement filing. He also said that the settlement is “phony” to the point where it should not exist in its current state.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer representing six Weinstein victims who were against the ruling, celebrated the judge’s decision. He said that he was “pleased” that the judge “swiftly rejected the one-sided proposal.”

“We have been saying for over a year and a half that the settlement terms and conditions were unfair and should never be imposed on sexual assault survivors,” Wigdor wrote. “We were surprised that class counsel and the New York Attorney General did not recognize this fact but are pleased that Judge Hellerstein swiftly rejected the one-sided proposal.  On behalf of our clients, we look forward to pursuing justice against Harvey Weinstein and his many enablers.”

The lawsuit, which was filed on June 30, was against Weinstein as well as The Weinstein Company Holdings LLC (“TWC”), and certain former officers, directors, and employees of TWC. New York Attorney General Letitia James said today that her office is reviewing the judge’s decision to determine the next best course of action.

“Our office has been fighting tirelessly to provide these brave women with the justice they are owed and will continue to do so,” spokesperson Morgan Rubin said in a written statement.

James’ plan with the lawsuit was to use the settlement to create a victims’ fund for the women who have claimed that Weinstein sexually abused them. The goal was to provide some of the alleged victims with between $7,500 and $750,000 from the settlement.

Weinstein, 68, was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of two women earlier this year, and he is currently serving a 23 year prison sentence in New York. He was once arguably the most powerful man in Hollywood and a top donor to the Democratic Party before he was accused of sexual assault by dozens of women in 2017.

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

Read more at UpliftingToday.com:
Ghislaine Maxwell Reportedly ‘Has Tapes Of Two Prominent U.S. Politicians Having Sex With Minors’
Loretta Lynn Reveals Her Sadness At The Turmoil In America – ‘We Need God Right Now’
Prince Harry Receives Backlash After Attacking The Queen’s ‘Cherished’ Commonwealth

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Steve Gruber.