English actress Julia Ormond, renowned for her roles in popular ’90s movies such as “Legends of the Fall,” “First Knight,” and “Smilla’s Sense of Snow,” has taken legal action against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Ormond is alleging sexual battery in a lawsuit filed against Weinstein, as well as entertainment agencies CAA (Creative Artists Agency), The Walt Disney Company, and Miramax.
According to Ormond’s legal complaint, the actress claims to have been sexually assaulted by Weinstein in 1995 following a business dinner. Shockingly, Ormond further asserts that her agents at CAA, Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane, failed to protect her and even warned her against speaking out about the incident.
In her lawsuit, Ormond accuses CAA of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty, and Miramax and Disney of negligent supervision and retention. However, Weinstein dismisses Ormond’s allegations, with his attorney maintaining that he is fully prepared to aggressively defend himself.
Ormond’s decision to pursue legal action has been made possible by the Adult Survivors Act, which allows for a look-back window beyond the statute of limitations. By utilizing this legislation, Ormond hopes to not only obtain justice for herself but also bring attention to the need for increased corporate transparency, particularly regarding reporting structures and the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence victims.
In her claims, Ormond explicitly points to Weinstein’s alleged enablers, including CAA, Miramax, and Disney, who supposedly profited from his work while turning a blind eye to his misconduct. She alleges that these entities failed to warn her about Weinstein’s behavior, resulting in a significant negative impact on her career after she reported the assault and was subsequently dropped by Miramax.
Ormond’s legal team emphasized that the actress is eagerly looking forward to her day in court, as she seeks accountability from all those who enabled and supported Weinstein’s actions. With her courage and determination, Ormond aims to effect positive change within the industry and support other victims who have been silenced for far too long.
As Julia Ormond’s lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and multiple entertainment entities unfolds, the world is watching closely to see if this will be another significant turning point in the ongoing battle against sexual misconduct within Hollywood.
