More than 80 women have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault. Now the British actress Julia Ormond is talking about her experiences and also accusing those who know her.
British actress Julia Ormond (58, “Sabrina”) is taking legal action against former film producer Harvey Weinstein for alleged sexual crimes. Ormond filed the lawsuit in a New York court on Wednesday (local time). In it, she claims that Weinstein harassed her at a business meeting in 1995 and, among other things, forced her to perform oral sex.
The lawsuit also targets the Walt Disney Company, Miramax and the talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Ormond claims that the film studios and their agents at CAA knew about Weinstein’s repeated attacks on women at the time. But they failed to warn her and protect her from him.
Accusations and condemnation
Weinstein “categorically” denies the allegations, his lawyer Imran H. Ansari said in a statement to the film magazine Variety. He will defend himself “vehemently” against it. Weinstein (71), who has already been convicted of sex crimes twice, is currently serving a long prison sentence in the US state of New York. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2020 after a trial in New York for rape and sexual assault. In another criminal trial in Los Angeles in February, 16 years in prison were added.
The first Weinstein trial marked a milestone in legal history. The case played a key role in triggering the #MeToo movement. Since 2017, more than 80 women have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault.
Weinstein caused Ormond “catastrophic” damage
According to Variety, Ormond said in a phone interview that she is coming forward with her story because she believes “systemic change” is still needed. To this end, those who enable misconduct must also be held accountable. In her lawsuit, the actress is demanding undisclosed damages.
Ormond played in the 1990s alongside stars such as Brad Pitt (“Legends of Passion”), Sean Connery and Richard Gere (“The First Knight”) and Harrison Ford (“Sabrina”).
The incident with Weinstein caused Ormond “catastrophic” professional and personal harm, the lawsuit says. Her career then completely collapsed.
Harvey Weinstein founded the Miramax studio with his brother Bob in 1979. In 1993 they sold the company to Walt Disney Co., but continued to actively run it until 2005.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
