In a major judicial development 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. The ruling marks a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped the attention of both the sports world and the broader public.
The plaintiff, Kellye Croft, initially filed the lawsuit on January 16, alleging severe misconduct by Dolan, including claims of sexual assault and sex trafficking dating back to 2013. According to the details laid out in the lawsuit, Croft accused Dolan of sexually assaulting her during a tour with The Eagles, during which Dolan's band was performing.
The allegations painted a harrowing picture of Dolan's actions, describing him as "extremely assertive" and stating that he pressured Croft "into unwanted sexual intercourse with him," despite her clear objections. The case took another distressing turn as Croft claimed that later in 2013, she was flown out to California under false pretenses to work as a massage therapist but was allegedly trafficked by Dolan to "engage in unlawful and unwelcome sex acts."
In a further layer of the case, Croft alleged that Dolan facilitated a meeting in January 2014 with convicted sex offender and former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, which led to an assault by Weinstein.
Dismissal of Charges and Legal Implications
U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson dismissed the sex trafficking allegations against Dolan with prejudice, meaning Croft cannot bring those particular charges again. However, other claims, including sexual battery against Dolan, sexual assault by Weinstein, and aiding and abetting of sexual assault by Dolan, were dismissed without prejudice. This critical distinction grants Croft the opportunity to refile these specific claims should she decide to pursue them further.
Additionally, the court mandated that Croft cover the defendant's court costs. Croft's original lawsuit sought monetary damages and requested a trial by jury to adjudicate her claims.
Reactions from Croft's Legal Team
In response to Judge Anderson's ruling, Croft's attorneys, Kevin Mintzer and Meredith Firetog, expressed their disagreement with the decision. "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 stated.
Undeterred by the setback in court, Mintzer and Firetog indicated their intention to appeal the decision. "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," they added, expressing their commitment to their client’s cause.
The legal battle involving these high-profile figures is far from over, and Croft's attorneys' resolve to continue the fight signals that this case may continue to develop over the coming months. For now, the dismissal of the federal lawsuit marks a significant chapter in what has been a dramatic and emotionally charged legal struggle.