James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, has been named in a new federal lawsuit that accuses him of trafficking a private massage therapist over a decade ago and setting her up for an encounter with disgraced former Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein that ended in her being raped—allegations denied by both men’s attorneys.
James Dolan and producer Harvey Weinstein attend the IFC Center grand opening celebration June 9, ... [+]
Kellye Croft, who was working as a private massage therapist for late Eagles band member Glenn Frey on a largely Dolan-funded tour in 2013, alleged engaged in "unlawful and unwelcome sex acts with her" before "facilitating, enabling and aiding Weinstein in meeting Ms. Croft."
Croft, who was 27 years old at the time, claims in the suit she was manipulated into sexual acts with Dolan, then 58, multiple times before he arranged for her to meet his "close friend” Weinstein in his hotel room in 2014, an encounter she says ended in her forcible rape.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles federal district court and seeks unspecified monetary damages, names Dolan, Weinstein, Dolan’s band, the Azoff Company and Azoff MSG Entertainment—companies of music manager Irving Azoff—as defendants.
Danya Perry, a lawyer representing Dolan, told Forbes “there is absolutely no merit to any of the allegations against Mr. Dolan.”
Jennifer Bonjean, Weinstein’s lawyer, did not immediately respond to Forbes' request for comment Tuesday but said in a statement to the New York Times Weinstein “vehemently denies these meritless allegations and looks forward to litigating these claims in court of law where the truth will be revealed.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.