The board of the Weinstein Company has voted to fire Chief Operating Officer David Glasser, saying he failed to protect employees from Harvey Weinstein's pattern of sexual harassment.

Glasser was set to become CEO of the company under a new ownership group.

However, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a suit on Sunday, alleging Glasser's failure to protect employees, and in a press conference, declared the sale would not have his blessing if Glasser was left in charge.

"The Board of The Weinstein Company has unanimously voted to terminate David Glasser for cause," the company said in a statement on Friday.

The company did not give any further explanation.

A source familiar with the board's thinking said the firing came in response to the attorney general's lawsuit.

The board members blamed Glasser for failing to keep them in the loop about the investigation, and felt that he was playing both sides and angling for the top job under the new owners.

The board also fired the law firm that had been handling the investigation on the company's behalf.

The company is running low on cash, and is thought to be desperate to keep the sale alive.

Former CEO Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of the Miramax studio, was one of Hollywood's most influential men before more than 70 women accused him of sexual misconduct, including rape. He denies having non-consensual sex with anyone.