A federal appeals court ruled that Ashley Judd can sue Harvey Weinstein for sexual harassment.
A lower-court judge had previously dismissed the sexual harassment part of the lawsuit, but allowed Judd, 52, to sue the movie magnate for defamation.
The appeals court determined that Weinstein, now 68, had power over the actress who made her eligible to pursue the lawsuit under California law.
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The “De-Lovely” star originally filed the lawsuit in 2018, alleging that the producer stained her in Hollywood, calling her a “nightmare” to work with after she refused to see him shower and massage him at a late-night gathering. The 1990s.
Ashley Judd’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein has been revived by an appeals court.
(AP)
His legal team sued under a law that prohibits sexual harassment of people with professional power, outside of employers.
Ultimately, the courts decided that because Judd was not working for the producer, his case is upheld.
“Weinstein was in a unique position to exercise coercive power or influence over Judd, who was a young actor early in his career at the time of the alleged harassment,” federal district judge Mary Murguia wrote in the opinion. An influential and ‘inevitable’ presence in the film industry, the relationship would have been difficult to end ‘without tangible difficulties’ for Judd, whose livelihood as an actor depended on being cast for roles. “
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Judd’s attorney explained that the lawsuit is intended to expand the law in the Hollywood landscape.
“This is an important victory not only for Ms. Judd, but also for all victims of sexual harassment in professional relationships,” Judd’s attorney, Theodore Boutrous Jr., said in a statement. producers and others in powerful positions, even outside the employment context, and we look forward to continuing this claim against Mr. Weinstein at trial. “
Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York and faces similar charges in California. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer, File)
Weinstein’s representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
Judd filed the lawsuit against Weinstein after director Peter Jackson revealed that the producer warned him not to include the actress in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise.
Her story, which she shared with the New York Times, was among those that helped #MeToo gain widespread attention.
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The case was suspended until his criminal trial in New York concluded, in which he was convicted of rape and sexual assault against two women.
Weinstein denies engaging in non-consensual sexual activities.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
