A U.S. District Judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by Kellye Croft, who accused New York Knicks owner James Dolan of sexually assaulting her a decade ago and allegedly setting her up to be molested by imprisoned movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
Judge Percy Anderson, in a decision on Tuesday, ruled that Croft’s lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles in January, did not adequately demonstrate a commercial sex act under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. The judge also declined to consider her state law claims against Dolan for sexual battery and aiding and abetting sexual assault, as well as her allegations against Weinstein for sexual assault and attempted rape.
In response to the ruling, Croft’s attorneys, Meredith Firetog and Kevin Mintzer of Wigdor LLP, expressed their disagreement on social media, arguing that the decision "incorrectly interprets the federal sex trafficking law and undermines crucial protections for survivors of sex trafficking."
Dolan's spokesperson, Mikyl Cordova, described the lawsuit as “a malicious attempt to assert horrific allegations” by an unprincipled law firm. Weinstein’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, had previously dismissed Croft's claims when the lawsuit was filed in January but did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the judge’s decision.
According to the lawsuit, Croft, a licensed massage therapist in 2013, was working on a tour for The Eagles, where Dolan’s band, JD & The Straight Shot, was the opening act. Croft alleged that Dolan used his position to coerce her into unwanted sexual acts and later arranged a meeting with Weinstein, who she claims sexually assaulted her in a hotel room in early 2014.
The Associated Press generally withholds the names of individuals alleging sexual assault unless they choose to go public, as Croft has done.
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