Julia Ormond sues Harvey Weinstein, Disney, Miramax and Creative Artists Agency over alleged sexual assault

Actor Julia Ormond has initiated legal action against Harvey Weinstein, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in 1995 following a dinner in New York. She is also pursuing damages from Disney, Miramax, and her former talent agency, contending that they failed to shield her from abuse.

This lawsuit was filed in New York under a law allowing sex crime cases to be brought forward even after the statute of limitations has expired. Currently, Weinstein is serving a 23-year prison sentence for rape.

Julia Ormond, best known for her roles in 1990s films such as "Legends of the Fall," "First Knight," "Smilla's Sense of Snow," and "Sabrina," asserts that her career never fully recovered following the alleged assault by Weinstein. According to the suit, at the height of her career, she and Weinstein returned to an apartment provided by the production company after a business dinner, where he allegedly "stripped naked and forced her to perform oral sex on him."


The lawsuit argues that "That sexual assault on Ormond could have been prevented if Miramax or Disney had properly supervised Weinstein and not retained him while knowing that he was a danger to the women he encountered at work."

Weinstein's attorney, Imran Ansari, has vehemently denied the allegations made by Julia Ormond.

Ormond is also suing the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), her former talent agency, alleging that they failed to warn her about Weinstein's abuse and even suggested that reporting the assault would damage her career. The lawsuit further claims that shortly after reporting the assault to CAA, the agency lost interest in representing her, leading to a significant decline in her career.

The lawsuit highlights the significant personal and professional damage inflicted on Ormond, stating that she "nearly disappeared from the public eye" since the alleged attack and its aftermath.

In a statement released through her legal team, Julia Ormond expressed her gratitude to those who have spoken out about their experiences and stated her hope that holding individuals and institutions accountable will lead to better protections for all in the workplace.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation for lost wages, mental pain, anguish, and severe emotional distress for Julia Ormond.

CAA has denied the claims made against the agency, emphasizing their commitment to taking sexual assault allegations seriously.

The BBC has reached out to Disney and Miramax for comment.

Harvey Weinstein has faced over 80 accusations of rape and misconduct dating back to the late 1970s.