U.S. District Court Dismisses Federal Lawsuit Against Knicks and Rangers Owner James Dolan
In a key ruling on Tuesday, a U.S. District Court judge in California dismissed a federal lawsuit against James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, featuring serious allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking.
Filed by Kellye Croft on January 16, the lawsuit alleged that Dolan sexually assaulted Croft while his band was on tour with The Eagles in 2013. According to Croft, Dolan was "extremely assertive" and pressured her into unwanted sexual intercourse, disregarding her clear objections.
Further allegations in the suit claimed that Croft was later flown to California under false pretenses to work as a massage therapist, only to be trafficked by Dolan to engage in unlawful and unwelcome sex acts. Croft also alleged that Dolan facilitated her introduction to convicted sex offender and former movie producer Harvey Weinstein in January 2014, leading to an assault by Weinstein.
The court's ruling by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson dismissed Croft's sex trafficking allegations with prejudice, meaning they cannot be pursued further. 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 claims if she chooses to do so in the future.
In addition to the dismissal, Croft was ordered to pay the defendant's court costs. Initially, she was seeking monetary damages and a trial by jury for her claims.
Despite the setback, Croft's legal team remains determined to continue the fight. Her attorneys, Kevin Mintzer and Meredith Firetog, expressed their disagreement with the decision, stating, "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 added, "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."
This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding prominent figures in sports and entertainment. With the decision to dismiss part of the lawsuit and the possibility for Croft to refile certain claims, the case remains in the public eye. As the appeal process unfolds, it will serve as a critical test of the legal frameworks surrounding sexual assault and trafficking claims in high-profile cases.
The ramifications of this case are bound to resonate beyond the courtroom, impacting the reputations and careers of those involved. Dolan, a prominent figure in the sports world, and Weinstein, a well-known former movie producer, continue to face legal and public scrutiny for their alleged actions. The outcome of Croft's appeals and any subsequent legal actions will be closely monitored by both the sports and entertainment industries, as well as advocates for survivors of sexual misconduct.