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Just In: Judge dismisses federal lawsuit against James Dolan and Harvey Weinstein.
Afederal lawsuit filed by Kellye Croft against New York Knicks owner James Dolan and former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been dismissed by a U.S. district judge.
Croft accused Dolan of sexually assaulting her a decade ago and allegedly arranging for her to meet Weinstein, who she claims later assaulted her.
Judge Percy Anderson dismissed the case, ruling that Croft did not provide sufficient evidence to prove a commercial sex act, which is necessary under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
The judge also declined to hear her state-level claims against Dolan for sexual battery and aiding sexual assault, as well as her allegations of sexual assault and attempted rape against Weinstein.
Croft’s lawyers criticized the decision, arguing that the court’s interpretation of the federal law undermines important protections for sex trafficking survivors.
“Plaintiff continues to rely on the speculative conclusion that she was paid those amounts because of her sexual relationship with Dolan and not because she was hired for the tour as a masseuse,” the judge wrote.