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Harvey Weinstein fights Chubb for payment of legal defense

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Harvey Weinstein fights Chubb for payment of legal defense

(Reuters) — Film producer Harvey Weinstein is fighting back against personal indemnity insurer Chubb Ltd., saying Chubb must pay for his legal defense against 11 lawsuits that accuse him of sexually harassing or assaulting women over the past three decades, according to a court document filed on Monday.

Lawyers for Mr. Weinstein, in a countersuit against Chubb, which is refusing to pay for Mr. Weinstein’s defense against the cases, said that Mr. Weinstein has paid a group of Chubb insurers more than $1 million dollars in premiums for coverage designed to protect against “a wide variety of liability claims,” according to the document.

“Moreover, they promised to perform their defense obligations even if allegations against Mr. Weinstein proved to be groundless, false or fraudulent,” the Weinstein lawyers said in the document.

In February, Chubb Indemnity Insurance Co. and several other Chubb units sued Mr. Weinstein and asked the New York State Supreme Court to issue a judgment declaring that the policies’ terms exclude defending charges in the lawsuits, specifically sexual assault, discrimination and intentional acts.

The co-founder of the Miramax studio and The Weinstein Co. was one of Hollywood’s most influential men before more than 70 women accused him of sexual misconduct, including assault. He denies having nonconsensual sex with anyone.

On Tuesday, an affiliate of Lantern Capital is expected to received approval from a U.S. bankruptcy judge to buy the assets of The Weinstein Co. for $310 million.

Units of Chubb have together issued 80 policies to Mr. Weinstein and his family between 1994 and 2018, including coverage for personal liability, Chubb said in its February suit.

That would normally cover legal costs to defend against claims of damage or injury caused accidentally, but the insurer said Mr. Weinstein’s conduct was intentional.

The policies include millions of dollars in “broad liability coverage,” $300,000 of “crisis assistance” coverage and unlimited coverage for Mr. Weinstein’s legal defense, Mr. Weinstein’s lawyers said in the countersuit, filed late on Monday.

A Chubb spokesman declined to comment.

 

 

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