A Superior Court clerk has corrected an earlier description of a judge’s order dismissing a lawsuit by a woman who alleged Warren Beatty sexually abused her when she was a teen — leaving the door open for the suit to be refiled.
The original minute order issued Dec. 15 by Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Edward Moreton Jr.’s clerk stated that the case was dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning it could not be brought again. However, on Monday, the judge’s clerk issued a corrected minute order stating that the ruling was “without prejudice,” meaning the case can be renewed under the right legal circumstances.
In reaching his ruling, Moreton found that the woman had not filed a case management statement nor proof of service, and that part of the decision remains the basis for his action.
The woman was representing herself before the dismissal. Her former attorney, Michael Reck, withdrew from the case in August.
The suit, filed in November 2022, alleged sexual battery and assault and a violation of the state Penal Code. The plaintiff said she was a teen and that Beatty, now 86, was in his 30s when he allegedly groomed her and lured her into a sexual relationship in the 1970s.
“When plaintiff was just a 14-year-old child, (Beatty) used his role, status and power as a well-known Hollywood star to gain access to, groom, manipulate, exploit and coerce sexual contact from her over the course of several months …” the suit stated.
The alleged abuse continued until late 1973, according to the suit.
Beatty’s career spans more than 60 years, with 14 Academy Award nominations. He won an Oscar for best director for the 1981 film “Reds.”