Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of murdered teen Trayvon Martin, have accused The Weinstein Company of withholding at least $150,000 for optioning the rights to their book Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin. The company was supposed to be behind a television series based on the book and Martin’s life, but the series has yet to air.
According to the Associated Press, Fulton and Martin filed court papers in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware, alleging the series has been filmed and they are owed money for “executive producer services.” The court filing also states that if the series airs, Fulton and Martin are owed further money.
Part of the optioning deal, according to the filing, is an option for The Weinstein Company to buy the movie rights to the book, but that option hasn’t been exercised yet.
The docuseries (or at least some version of it), which was also co-executive produced by Jay-Z, has a July premiere set at Paramount Network with The Weinstein Company dropped from the credits. Jay-Z is also suing The Weinstein Company.
Dozens of other actors, producers, writers and companies have filed court papers alleging the company of unpaid fees. These claims will be heard next month in Delaware.
The Weinstein Company has faced intense scrutiny after Harvey Weinstein’s sex scandals became public knowledge, which forced the company into bankruptcy. According to Deadline, the bankruptcy court has ruled in favor of the sale of the company to Dallas private equity firm Lantern Capital.