The Weinstein Co. just canceled every nondisclosure agreement between Harvey Weinstein and the women who accused him of sexual misconduct

The Weinstein Co.'s bankruptcy filing on Monday prompted the cancellation of every nondisclosure agreement that the embattled film mogul Harvey Weinstein had initiated with women who have since accused him of sexual misconduct.
More than 70 women have leveled allegations against Weinstein for varying degrees of harassment, assault, and, in some cases, rape.
"No one should be afraid to speak out or coerced to stay quiet," the company said.

The Weinstein Co. canceled all nondisclosure agreements that the embattled film mogul Harvey Weinstein had initiated with women who have since accused him of sexual misconduct.

The film studio, which filed for bankruptcy on Monday night, said in a statement that it is taking "an important step toward justice for any victims who have been silenced by Harvey Weinstein," citing the nondisclosure agreements that the company said Weinstein had used as a "secret weapon to silence his accusers."

More than 70 women have accused Weinstein of varying degrees of sexual misconduct — including harassment, assault, and, in some cases, rape. The scandal rocked the film and TV industry last fall.

"No one should be afraid to speak out or coerced to stay quiet. The Company thanks the courageous individuals who have already come forward. Your voices have inspired a movement for change across the country and around the world," the company's statement read.

The firm is facing several lawsuits from Weinstein's accusers and the New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who told USA Today in a statement Monday night that the release of those NDA agreements "will finally enable voices that have far too long been muzzled to be heard."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked Schneiderman to investigate how the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance, handled misconduct allegations against Weinstein. The inquiry stems from Vance's decision in 2015 not to file charges against Weinstein on accusations that he had groped Italian model Ambra Battilana, the New York Daily News reported.

Actress Rose McGowan was one of the women who had signed an agreement to keep quiet about her encounter with Weinstein, according to a New York Times report that detailed allegations against Weinstein from several women.

Weinstein was forced out of his company last year as the sexual-misconduct allegations against him multiplied. The company unsuccessfully courted several prospective buyers, and the effort ended with Monday's bankruptcy filing.

The film studio secured an initial bid for its assets from an affiliate of the Dallas-based private-equity firm Lantern Capital Partners.

The Weinstein Co. just canceled every nondisclosure agreement between Harvey Weinstein and the women who accused him of sexual misconduct

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