In a new turn of the saga of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s predations, actress Julia Ormond has launched legal action against him, naming also Creative Artists Agency, the Walt Disney Company and Miramax.
Ormond alleges that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in late 1995. She says that he told her then agents, Lourd and Kevin Huvane of CAA, about this, but they warned her against speaking out. Ormond is suing CAA for negligence in the matter and for failing to live up to their fiduciary duties.
In addition, Ormond has accused Miramax and Disney of negligence in their supervisory duties.
Ormond, who launched the case in terms of New York’s Adult Survivors Act (which followed the #MeToo movement) said in an interview: ‘I am coming forward with my story now publicly because I feel as if we still need systemic change, and I feel that we need accountability from enablers, in order to get there.’
She is seeking accountability from the movie industry for their failings, which she argues caused great damage to her wellbeing and relationships, as well as to her career. She has been riding a wave of success at that time, but her fortunes subsequently receded.
Weinstein is currently serving time in prison and has been named in a number of other lawsuits.
Image by Mihai Surdu from Pixabay