Julia Ormond starred in films in the 1990s with the likes of Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford before fading away. She filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her in 1995 and subsequently stymied her career.
Ormond, who also accused the Walt Disney Company, Miramax and her former agent of knowing Weinstein was a problem but did nothing about it, filed the lawsuit in state Supreme Court in Manhattan. Adult Survivors ActA law passed last year allows those alleging sexual assault to file after the state’s normal deadlines.
Ormond, who was wearing a suit, said she was a star on the rise when she met Weinstein in 1994. She said she stayed in touch with him to discuss scripts and projects, and in 1995 she signed a production deal with Miramax, where he was a co-producer. President. She accused him of sexually assaulting her after a business meeting in December 1995, then retaliating against her after she confronted him weeks later and negatively affecting her career.
The British actress said she told her then-American agent, Creative Artists Agency, but received no support and was advised against taking any legal or other action. She blamed CAA, Disney and Miramax, saying they knew Weinstein posed a danger to women but did nothing to stop him or help her.
Weinstein is now 71 years old. Convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020 and is currently serving time in that state’s prison.Last year, he also Convicted of another rape In Los Angeles. He has appealed both convictions.
Weinstein’s lawyer Imran Ansari said his client “categorically denies the allegations brought against him by Julia Ormond and he intends to vigorously defend himself.”
Emails seeking comment were sent to CAA, Disney and Miramax.
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Dalton reported from Los Angeles.
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