CAA Claims Julia Ormond Was Aware of Weinstein’s Abuse: Agents Left in the Dark

In 2023, Julia Ormond initiated legal action against those she deems responsible for enabling Harvey Weinstein’s prolonged sexual misconduct.

Ormond, known for her roles in “Legends of the Fall” and “Smilla’s Sense of Snow,” claims Weinstein sexually assaulted her following a business meeting in 1995. She has brought a lawsuit against Weinstein, Miramax, Disney, and notably, CAA, her former representation agency. She contends that CAA did not inform her of Weinstein’s notorious behavior prior to arranging the meeting.

CAA refuted these claims in a recent court document, asserting new evidence that suggests Ormond was aware of Weinstein’s abusive actions prior to becoming a CAA client, having previously experienced harassment by him. This, they argue, undermines her accusation that CAA should have warned her.

CAA is using this defense to challenge the exclusion of Disney and Miramax — both of whom have settled separately with Ormond — from the lawsuit. CAA argues these companies have not complied with discovery requests and might need to contribute to any damages awarded.

Meredith Firetog, Ormond’s lawyer, criticized CAA’s efforts as an attempt to sabotage the settlement and accused them of blaming the victim by highlighting Ormond’s prior professional interactions with Weinstein.

“We appreciate the settlement with Disney and Miramax and commend Ms. Ormond’s bravery and determination in pursuing this matter,” Firetog stated. “CAA’s baseless actions to impede this settlement in order to shift blame away from itself will not prevail. Nor will its attempts to blame Ms. Ormond for her prior professional dealings with Weinstein.”

A CAA spokesperson defended their position by citing evidence from Ormond’s deposition and writings about the assault from 2017, claiming it significantly weakens her lawsuit and supports CAA’s denial of the allegations.

“Before joining CAA, Ms. Ormond had prior business interactions with Harvey Weinstein and had been subjected to his known pattern of harassment and misconduct,” stated the spokesperson. “Additionally, there is no evidence to show that CAA was aware of Weinstein’s history of assaults at the time that could support her claims against us. The evidence we’ve gathered emphasizes the necessity for CAA to continue its legal discovery from Disney and Miramax.”

In her deposition, Ormond recounted how Weinstein coerced her into visiting his hotel suite in London in 1994, where he made inappropriate advances, including a request for her to watch him shower and offers to kiss her and serve as a sperm donor.

According to court documents, Ormond’s UK agent, Patricia Marmont, had previously cautioned her about Weinstein’s intentions. “Marmont advised her to be careful as Weinstein might make advances due to his influential status,” CAA lawyers reiterated from Ormond’s testimony.

CAA also stated there is no proof that its agents, including Kevin Huvane and Bryan Lourd, were aware of Weinstein’s misconduct until much later. Ormond alleges that after informing her agents of the assault, they discouraged her from going public, warning that it could harm her career. Both Huvane and Lourd have strongly denied these allegations.

Following an earlier settlement with Disney and Miramax, Ormond’s legal team moved to have them dismissed from the lawsuit, a motion CAA opposed. A judge previously denied CAA’s request to dismiss the case, citing plausible evidence that CAA might have been aware of Weinstein’s potential for assault.

CAA has since appealed this decision. Meanwhile, Weinstein, recently convicted for a third time of sexual assault and currently incarcerated, continues to deny all allegations made by Ormond.