In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson in California dismissed a federal lawsuit against James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. The case, which included allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking, was filed by Kellye Croft on January 16 and dated back to 2013.
The Allegations Against Dolan
The lawsuit brought forth by Croft included serious accusations against Dolan, claiming he sexually assaulted her while his band was on tour with The Eagles. Croft alleged that Dolan was "extremely assertive" and pressured her into unwanted sexual intercourse, despite her clear objections. Another harrowing claim detailed how Croft was flown to California later in 2013 under false pretenses to work as a massage therapist but was allegedly trafficked by Dolan to "engage in unlawful and unwelcome sex acts."
Link to Harvey Weinstein
The allegations took another disturbing turn when Croft claimed that Dolan facilitated her meeting with convicted sex offender and former movie producer Harvey Weinstein in January 2014. This meeting, according to Croft, led to an assault by Weinstein.
Judge's Ruling
In a significant part of his ruling, Judge Anderson dismissed Croft's sex trafficking allegations with prejudice, preventing her from bringing up these charges again. However, other claims, including sexual battery against Dolan, sexual assault by Weinstein, and aiding and abetting of sexual assault by Dolan, were dismissed without prejudice, allowing Croft the opportunity to refile these specific charges if she chooses.
The court also mandated that Croft pay the defendant's court costs. Initially, Croft was seeking monetary damages and a trial by jury for her claims.
Response from Croft’s Legal Team
In response to the decision, Croft's attorneys, Kevin Mintzer and Meredith Firetog, expressed their disagreement. "We respectfully disagree with the District Court's decision, which we believe incorrectly interprets the federal sex trafficking law and undermines critically important protections for sex trafficking survivors," they stated.
Furthermore, the attorneys indicated their intention to challenge the ruling. "We will be appealing this decision and are confident that the Court of Appeals will correct this injustice. We will also continue to pursue Ms. Croft's sexual battery claims against James Dolan and Harvey Weinstein, which remain unaffected by [Tuesday's] decision. Our fight for Ms. Croft is just beginning," they affirmed.
This case, involving high-profile individuals and serious accusations, is expected to continue to draw public and legal scrutiny. The implications of the judge’s decision and the potential appeal could have far-reaching consequences not only for the parties involved but also for the interpretation and enforcement of federal sex trafficking laws.