Emmy-winning actress Julia Ormond takes a courageous stand, suing Harvey Weinstein for sexual assault while also implicating Miramax, Disney, and Creative Artists Agency in negligence. Explore the details of the lawsuit and its significance in the #MeToo era.
Julia Ormond
Emmy-winning actress Julia Ormond has taken a bold step by publicly accusing disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, Ormond not only names Weinstein but also implicates his former employers, Miramax and Disney, along with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), alleging negligence on their part.
The lawsuit, lodged in New York State Supreme Court, details Ormond’s distressing encounter with Weinstein in December 1995, which she believed was a business meeting. Ormond accuses Weinstein of inappropriate actions, including climbing on top of her, masturbating, and coercing her into performing oral sex. She has carried the burden of these traumatic memories for decades and has finally decided to speak out.
In a statement, Ormond expressed gratitude to those who have bravely spoken out against sexual misconduct and hopes that her actions will contribute to greater protections for everyone in the workplace. Her lawsuit seeks several forms of compensation, including unspecified monetary damages covering lost wages, mental anguish, emotional distress, punitive damages, and legal fees.
It’s worth noting that Ormond’s lawsuit falls under the Adult Survivors Act, which allows sexual abuse plaintiffs to file lawsuits irrespective of when the abuse occurred. This legislation, signed into law by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, grants survivors a one-year window to file their claims, which will expire next month.
Harvey Weinstein’s attorney, Imran H. Ansari, has denied Ormond’s allegations, stating that Weinstein vehemently denies them and is prepared to defend himself vigorously. Ansari points out that this is another case in which allegations have surfaced after many years, and he believes that the evidence will not support Ormond’s claims.
Harvey Weinstein’s name is synonymous with allegations of sexual harassment and assault, which played a pivotal role in the #MeToo movement and a broader cultural awakening regarding abuses of power in the entertainment industry and beyond. Weinstein has already been convicted in two separate trials, one in New York and one in Los Angeles, and is serving lengthy prison sentences. Nevertheless, he continues to maintain his innocence and is appealing his convictions.
Ormond’s lawsuit extends beyond Weinstein and implicates his former employers, Miramax and Disney, for negligent supervision and retention. Ormond also alleges negligence and breach of fiduciary duty by her agency, CAA. She claims that the sexual assault could have been prevented had Miramax or Disney properly supervised Weinstein and not retained him, knowing he posed a danger to women at work. Ormond also asserts that CAA failed in its legal duties to protect her and warn her about Weinstein’s predatory behavior.
Miramax and Disney have not yet responded to requests for comment, but CAA issued a statement refuting the allegations as baseless. According to CAA, they received a $15 million demand from Ormond’s attorneys in exchange for not making the allegations public, a demand they rejected.
Miramax, co-founded by Weinstein and his brother, Bob, in 1979, was a prominent film production company and distributor, known for acclaimed films like “Pulp Fiction” and “The King’s Speech.” Disney owned Miramax from 1993 to 2010. CAA, on the other hand, is one of the most influential agencies in the modern entertainment industry.
Julia Ormond is a respected actress, recognized for her roles in movies such as “Legends of the Fall” and “Sabrina.” She achieved an Emmy award for her supporting role in the HBO film “Temple Grandin.” Her decision to speak out against Weinstein and others involved in the alleged negligence is a significant step towards holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions in cases of sexual misconduct.
also read Alba Baptista