Julia Ormond starred in major films of the 1990s Photo: AP
Actress Julia Ormond filed a lawsuit accusing disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually assaulting her in 1995.
She also accuses The Walt Disney Co., Miramax and her former agents of knowing Weinstein was a problem but doing nothing.
< p>The case was brought in New York under the Adult Survivors of Abuse Act, a law passed last year that gives those alleging sexual abuse a temporary opportunity to file a claim outside the statute of limitations.
Ormond first appeared on British television in the TV series Traffic in 1989, and four years later she made her international film debut in the title role in The Child of Macon.
In 1994, she starred with Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall, and a year later with Harrison Ford in Sabrina, as well as with Sean Connery and Richard Gere in First Knight.
The actress claims in her lawsuit that Weinstein hindered her career at a time when her star was rising.
She claimed that she met Weinstein in 1994 and kept in touch with him to discuss scripts. and projects before entering into a production deal with Miramax, where he was co-chairman.
She accuses him of sexually assaulting her in December 1995 after a business meeting, then retaliating against her and negatively affecting her career after she ran into him a few weeks later.
Harvey Weinstein, 71, was convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020 and is currently in prison. Photo: AP
Imran Ansari, Weinstein's lawyer, said his client «categorically denies the allegations brought against him by Julia Ormond, and he is prepared to vigorously defend himself.»
Ormond claimed that she told her family about it. then US agents at Creative Artists Agency, but received no support and was advised not to take any legal action or other steps.
She blamed CAA, Disney and Miramax, saying they knew Weinstein was a danger to women but did nothing to stop him or help her.
According to the documents, “none of these well-known companies did not warn Ormond that Weinstein had a history of assaulting women because he was too important, too powerful and made them too much money.»
In response, CAA said the agency «takes everyone seriously allegations of sexual assault and violence and has compassion for Ms. Ormond.»
The statement said the agency hired lawyers to investigate her claims when she first came to the United States. them in March, and they found only «evidence of a dynamic and active relationship between CAA and Ms. Ormond, and the agency's consistent efforts to support her career.»
«Ms. Ormond's claims against CAA are without merit.» and the Agency will vigorously deny them in court,” the statement said.
The lawsuit and subsequent media interviews marked the first time Ormond has publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault.
Weinstein, 71, was convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020 and is in state prison.
Last year he was also found guilty of another rape in Los Angeles. He appealed both convictions.
Dozens of women have sued Weinstein, many of them actresses, but few have named as broad a list of defendants as Ormond.
The Associated Press has contacted Disney and Miramax for comment.
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