Judge dismisses an assault lawsuit against Knicks owner James Dolan and Harvey Weinstein
New York Knicks owner James Dolan, center, watches the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, April 14, 2024, in New York. Credit: AP/John Munson
SAN FRANCISCO — A U.S. district judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit by a woman who alleged that New York Knicks owner James Dolan sexually assaulted her a decade ago and then set her up to be molested by jailed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by Kellye Croft in Los Angeles in January. Anderson said that Croft had failed to plausibly allege a commercial sex act in which she was paid for sex under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
The judge also declined to hear her claims based on state — and not federal — law against Dolan of sexual battery and aiding and abetting sexual assault and against Weinstein of sexual assault and attempted rape.
Croft's lawyers posted on X that they disagreed with the decision, saying it “incorrectly interprets the federal sex trafficking law and undermines critically important protections for sex trafficking survivors,” according to attorneys Meredith Firetog and Kevin Mintzer of Wigdor LLP.
The office of Dolan’s attorney, E. Danya Perry, said in a statement Wednesday that the lawsuit was “a malicious attempt to assert horrific allegations" by what it called an unscrupulous law firm.
Weinstein's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment but, at the time of the January filing also dismissed Croft’s assertions.
According to the lawsuit, Croft was a licensed massage therapist in 2013 working on a tour for The Eagles in which Dolan’s band, JD & The Straight Shot, opened for the rock band. Dolan allegedly used his influence on the tour to repeatedly manipulate and pressure Croft “to submit to sex with him,” the lawsuit stated. It claimed Dolan orchestrated a meeting between Croft and Weinstein, a friend of his, in a hotel elevator in early 2014. She alleged in her lawsuit that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in a hotel room.
The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly or consent to being identified, as Croft has done.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
