A lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday alleges that Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan and former film producer Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted a massage therapist 10 years ago.
The woman who filed the suit, Kellye Croft, said she met Dolan in 2013 while on tour with the band the Eagles when she was working as a massage therapist. She alleged that the assaults took place in 2013 (Dolan) and 2014 (Weinstein). The lawsuit stated that Dolan was “extremely assertive, and pressured Ms. Croft into unwanted sexual intercourse with him.” It also claimed that Dolan set up a meeting between Croft and Weinstein that resulted in Croft being assaulted.
“I have suffered so profoundly because of what James Dolan and Harvey Weinstein did to me years ago, and it was not an easy decision to come forward and seek justice. But for me, to truly address my trauma, I need to seek accountability,” Croft said in a statement, via USA Today.
“James Dolan manipulated me, brought me to California to abuse me, and then set me up for a vicious attack by Weinstein.”
The lawsuit against Dolan, who owns the Knicks and the Rangers, was reported in a Tuesday New York Times article.
“I saw the article and don’t know anything else about it other than I read the article so we’ll stand by and wait to find out more information,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver, per ESPN.
Dolan’s attorney, E. Danya Perry, said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday:
“There is absolutely no merit to any of the allegations against Mr. Dolan. Mr. Dolan always believed Ms. Croft to be a good person and is surprised she would agree to these claims. Bottom line, this is not a he said/she said matter and there is compelling evidence to back up our position. We look forward to proving that in court.”
Weinstein is currently serving 23 years in prison for felony sex crimes.
Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected]
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