Julia Ormond is actively pursuing legal channels to ensure Michael Ovitz, the co-founder of CAA, provides testimony in a lawsuit against the agency. This comes after Ovitz skipped a scheduled deposition, prompting Ormond to seek court enforcement. Her case centers on accusations that CAA facilitated a situation leading to her alleged sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein in December 1995, claims that the agency has firmly denied.
Background of the Allegations
Ormond’s lawsuit contends that her agents at CAA, Kevin Huvane and Bryan Lourd, failed to warn her about Weinstein’s alleged history of sexual assault when arranging a dinner meeting in New York in December 1995. Ormond claims that what was supposed to be a business meeting ended in her being sexually assaulted by Weinstein at a Miramax apartment. Despite these serious allegations, CAA has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that Ormond was aware of Weinstein’s reputation due to prior incidents and warnings from her U.K. agent.
Michael Ovitz’s Role and Current Developments
In pursuit of more information, Ormond’s legal team wishes to question Michael Ovitz about CAA’s connections with Weinstein and his public comments on Hollywood‘s longstanding issues with sexual harassment. Ovitz, who exited CAA for Disney in August 1995, is a key figure due to his insights into the era and his statements acknowledging the persistent nature of harassment in Hollywood.
In a 2018 interview with CNBC, Ovitz remarked, “This whole concept has been around forever and it’s always been swept under the rug.” These comments, along with any possible interactions with Weinstein, are pivotal to Ormond’s case, warranting the deposition.
Legal Proceedings and Challenges
Ormond’s lawyers are pushing for the court to compel Ovitz’s testimony. Despite a notice issued on May 29 for a June 12 deposition, Ovitz did not appear or respond, prompting this legal action. The goal is not just to secure his testimony but also to obtain any relevant documents that might shed light on the CAA-Weinstein relationship during his tenure.
In 2023, Ormond expanded her lawsuit to include Weinstein, Miramax, Disney, and CAA. While settlements have been reached with Disney and Miramax, the case against CAA remains active as Ormond continues to assert that her career suffered following the alleged assault due to retaliation by Weinstein, a charge that remains hotly contested.
Ormond’s pursuit of Michael Ovitz’s testimony represents a critical juncture in her legal battle, as she seeks to uncover the deep-rooted issues of complicity and silence that she claims existed within CAA. With Ovitz holding potential insights into these interactions, his deposition could be a significant development in her case.
