The parents of Trayvon Martin are suing The Weinstein Company for at least $150,000 over a TV series about their son that never came to fruition.
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin filed court papers last week at a federal bankruptcy court in Delaware against the entity, according to the Associated Press. The couple is claiming that the now-bankrupt Weinstein Company, which was formerly run by disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, owes them “executive producer services” fees for their work on a TV series about their teen son that has yet to air.
“The parents claim they are owed $150,000 for their roles as executive producers of a TV series that has been filmed but has yet to be broadcast,” reports The Hill.
In 2012, Trayvon, 17, was shot dead in Florida by 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in self-defense. The case gained national attention due to allegations of racism surrounding Zimmerman, who is Hispanic. Then-President Barack Obama notably fanned the flames, saying, “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.” The controversial case is credited with helping to spark the Black Lives Matter movement.
Zimmerman was acquitted of the manslaughter charge.
In March, The Weinstein Company filed for bankruptcy after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D) filed a suit against the business for violating their employees’ rights to be protected from “pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation, and discrimination.” Ironically, Schneiderman has since resigned from his post for alleged sexual misconduct and harassment claims, ranging from physical abuse to racially-charge verbal abuse, from numerous women.
As noted by the AP, several dozen others from the entertainment world have also sued The Weinstein Company for money.