Harvey Weinstein accused by actress Julia Ormond of alleged sexual assault

Actress Julia Ormond is suing former film producer Harvey Weinstein. A sexual assault is said to have occurred during a business meeting with Weinstein in 1995. Among other things, he is said to have forced her to perform oral sex. The producer denies the allegations through his lawyer.

Weinstein has been convicted of sexual offenses in two cases in the past. In 2020 he received a prison sentence of 23 years for rape and sexual assault. Earlier this year, he received 16 more years in a Los Angeles court. In total, more than 80 women have made allegations against the ex-producer since 2017. The #metoo movement emerged in the wake of the Weinstein scandal.

The lawsuit also implicates the Walt Disney Company, Miramax and Creative Artists Agency. Ormond accuses the studios and the agency of being aware of Weinstein’s behavior towards women and of failing to warn or protect them from him. Those who enable or tolerate abusive behavior must also be held accountable, she said.

Ormond tells Variety that the alleged incident had “catastrophic” consequences for her personally and professionally. Her career completely collapsed after 1995. The actress is now suing because she believes systemic change is still needed. In the lawsuit, she seeks compensatory damages, but the amount was not disclosed.