District Court Dismisses Federal Lawsuit Against James Dolan
In a landmark decision, a U.S. District Court judge in California has dismissed a federal lawsuit against James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, bringing a significant moment of relief to the sports mogul.
The lawsuit, filed by Kellye Croft on January 16, included grave accusations of sexual assault and sex trafficking dating back to 2013. Croft alleged that Dolan had sexually assaulted her while his band was on tour with The Eagles, asserting that he was "extremely assertive, and pressured Ms. Croft into unwanted sexual intercourse with him," despite her clear objections.
Allegations of Sex Trafficking
Perhaps even more disturbing, Croft detailed an incident later in 2013 when she was allegedly flown to California under the false pretense of working as a massage therapist. Croft claimed that Dolan trafficked her to "engage in unlawful and unwelcome sex acts."
Further amplifying the seriousness of her allegations, Croft contended that Dolan facilitated her meeting with convicted sex offender and former movie producer Harvey Weinstein in January 2014, which she claimed led to an assault by Weinstein.
Court's Decision
U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson dismissed Croft's sex trafficking allegations with prejudice, meaning these charges cannot be refiled. However, other claims in the lawsuit, including sexual battery against Dolan, sexual assault by Weinstein, and aiding and abetting of sexual assault by Dolan, were dismissed without prejudice. This distinction allows Croft the opportunity to refile those specific claims if she so chooses.
In addition to the dismissal, the court mandated that Croft pay the defendants' court costs, further adding to the case's complexity and potentially discouraging future legal actions of a similar nature.
Legal Reactions
Reacting to the court's decision, Croft's attorneys, Kevin Mintzer and Meredith Firetog, expressed their dissatisfaction. "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.
The attorneys also emphasized their commitment to continue the fight. "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 the [Tuesday's] decision. Our fight for Ms. Croft is just beginning," they added.
The Road Ahead
Croft initially sought monetary damages and a trial by jury for her claims. With the dismissal of some of her most serious allegations, the path forward in her quest for justice appears increasingly challenging. Nonetheless, the opportunity to refile certain claims leaves room for continued legal battles, which could keep these serious accusations in the public eye for some time.
As the case evolves, it will inevitably attract significant attention from both the sports and judicial communities, underscoring the pervasive issues of sexual misconduct and accountability. This decision, while a current relief for Dolan, does not signify the end of the legal troubles surrounding these allegations. The ongoing battle in the appeals court will surely be a highly watched chapter in this unfolding narrative.