A shocking lawsuit has been filed against James L. Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks and CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment, alleging that he pressured a woman into unwanted sex and arranged a meeting with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who is also accused of sexually assaulting her. The lawsuit was reported by the New York Times.
The federal lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in Los Angeles, accuses both Dolan and Weinstein of sexual assault and forcible touching. The woman, Kellye Croft, also accuses Dolan of sex trafficking, alleging that he facilitated her transport to California for the purpose of forced sex.
According to the lawsuit, Croft was hired as a massage therapist for the Eagles while they were on tour in 2013. Dolan, whose band was opening for the Eagles, booked a massage with Croft. However, he allegedly dragged her to a couch and forced her between his legs, despite her resistance. Dolan is then said to have pressured her into a sexual relationship, summoning her to his room multiple times during the tour.
The lawsuit also states that Croft met Weinstein during the same trip in a meeting allegedly coordinated by Dolan. Weinstein invited Croft to his room, where he asked her to try on clothes in front of him and requested a massage in his bed. When Croft walked back to her own room, Weinstein allegedly followed her in a bathrobe and forced his way into her room, sexually assaulting her.
Douglas H. Wigdor, a lawyer for Croft, stated, “With the filing of today’s complaint, it is time to finally hold Dolan accountable for his outrageous conduct.”
In response to the allegations, lawyers for both Dolan and Weinstein vehemently denied the claims. E. Danya Perry, a lawyer representing Dolan, stated, “There is absolutely no merit to any of the allegations against Mr. Dolan. Kellye Croft and James Dolan had a friendship.” Jennifer Bonjean, Weinstein’s lawyer, said that her client “vehemently denies these meritless allegations” and looks forward to litigating the claims in court.
Interestingly, Croft allegedly informed Dolan about the encounter with Weinstein, and Dolan reportedly said he was not surprised and referred to Weinstein as a troubled person with serious issues that his friends were trying to get him to address. Dolan previously made headlines when he wrote a song about Weinstein’s history of sexual misconduct with his band, JD & the Straight Shot, in 2018.
Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape and criminal sexual acts in New York Supreme Court in February 2020 and later convicted of additional charges, including forcible rape, in a California court in December 2022. He is currently serving a combined sentence of 39 years in prison.
The lawsuit against Dolan is a significant development in the ongoing reckoning with sexual misconduct in various industries. It highlights the alleged abuse of power and manipulation that can occur in professional relationships and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. As the case progresses, it will undoubtedly shed more light on the allegations and their implications for both Dolan and Weinstein.
