A Los Angeles federal judge Wednesday dismissed a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Ashley Judd against Harvey Weinstein, but ruled the actress can proceed with her allegations the disgraced producer defamed her and ruined her chance for a role in the “Lord of the Rings” film series.
U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez left open the chance for Judd to proceed on the defamation allegations, ruling against the applicability of the state sexual harassment law as it pertains to the actress’ accusations against Weinstein.
In September, Gutierrez indicated how he would rule on Weinstein’s motion to dismiss, writing that the law cited in the lawsuit “has never before been applied to an employer’s sexual harassment of a prospective employee, and the court is not convinced that the statute was intended to cover such harassment.”
Judd claimed Weinstein made sexual advances toward her in 1997 at a Beverly Hills hotel while they were meeting to discuss potential film roles. She alleged that she managed to elude Weinstein by proposing a “mock contract” by falsely telling him she would let him touch her when she won an Oscar for one of his films.
Weinstein attorney Phyllis Kupferstein argued that the producer’s alleged conduct toward Judd did not rise to the legal standard of sexual harassment.
According to the judge, a producer/actress relationship is not covered by the law covering sexual harassment within a professional relationship.
But Gutierrez did rule that Judd can proceed with her defamation claim against Weinstein. Judd contends that Weinstein defamed her and hurt her career in 1998 by telling “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson that the actress was a “nightmare” to work with.
Weinstein is facing sexual assault charges in New York, and he is under investigation by authorities in London and Los Angeles. He has repeatedly denied ever engaging in non-consensual sexual activity.
Judd was one of the first women to come forward with harassment allegations against him.