Knicks owner James Dolan has been accused of sexual assault and trafficking in a lawsuit that also names Harvey Weinstein.
A woman filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday accusing Dolan of pressuring her into unwanted sex and then lining up an encounter with her and Weinstein, whom she claims sexually assaulted her.
Dolan is Weinstein’s former friend and business associate, and has previously stated he had been unaware of Weinstein’s history of misconduct.
In a legal filing, Kellye Croft alleged that in late 2013, at the age of 27, she was hired as a massage therapist for the iconic rock band Eagles during a tour. Dolan was part of the opening act with his band JD & the Straight Shot.
Croft says she was pressured into unwanted sex with Dolan, and was then left alone in a Beverly Hills hotel room with Weinstein, who she claims chased her down a hallway and raped her.
“James Dolan manipulated me, brought me to California to abuse me and then set me up for a vicious attack by Weinstein,” Croft said in a statement.
One of Dolan’s lawyers, E. Danya Perry, said in a statement: “There is absolutely no merit to any of the allegations against Dolan. Kellye Croft and James Dolan had a friendship. Dolan always believed Croft to be a good person and is surprised she would agree to these claims. Bottom line, this is not a he said/she said matter and there is compelling evidence to back up our position. We look forward to proving that in court.”
Jennifer Bonjean, a lawyer for Weinstein, said he “vehemently denies these meritless allegations and looks forward to litigating these claims in a court of law where the truth will be revealed.”
The lawsuit accuses Dolan of sex trafficking, claiming he facilitated her transport “for purposes of sex induced by force, fraud, or coercion.”
The suit also accuses Dolan and Weinstein of sexual assault and forcible touching.
Dolan has been Knicks owner for over two decades as the executive chairman and chief executive officer of Madison Square Garden Sports and Madison Square Garden Entertainment.