I didnt even understand almost what I was doing with all those papers, she told me, in her first interview discussing her settlement. I was really disoriented. My English was very bad. All of the words in that agreement were super difficult to understand. I guess even now I cant really comprehend everything.
She recalled that, across the table, Weinsteins attorney was trembling visibly as she picked up the pen. I saw him shaking and I realized how big this was. But then I thought I needed to support my mom and brother and how my life was being destroyed, and I did it, she told me. The moment I did it, I really felt it was wrong.
Weinstein used nondisclosure agreements like the one Gutierrez signed to evade accountability for claims of sexual harassment and assault for at least twenty years. He used these kinds of agreements with employees, business partners, and women who made allegationswomen who were often much younger and far less powerful than Weinstein, and who signed under pressure from attorneys on both sides.
Weinstein also hid the payments underwriting some of these settlements.
