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Time continues to be up for alleged serial predator and former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The onetime mogul’s fall from grace has been anything but pretty, and now he’s facing a lawsuit filed this week by Biglaw firm Gibson Dunn on behalf of their client, Ashley Judd.
In the suit, Judd alleges that after she rebuffed his advances at a breakfast meeting in the 90s, Weinstein smeared the actress’s name across Hollywood. Specifically, when Judd was up for a role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the complaint alleges Weinstein told director Peter Jackson she was a “nightmare” and working with Judd should be avoided “at all costs.” The complaint focuses on the impact this had on Judd’s career:
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“With those baseless smears, Weinstein succeeded in blacklisting Ms. Judd and destroying her ability to work on what became a multibillion-dollar franchise with 17 Academy Award wins and many more nominations… Weinstein’s wrongful and outrageous conduct has not just deprived Ms. Judd of the specific opportunity to play a prominent role in a blockbuster film trilogy; it has had a long-lasting ripple effect on the trajectory of her whole career.”
The complaint contains claims of defamation, sexual harassment, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law.
As reported by Law.com, Gibson partner Ted Boutrous said of the lawsuit:
“Our aim in bringing this suit is to hold Mr. Weinstein accountable for his retaliation against Ms. Judd, defamation of her business reputation, and interference with her career, and to shine a light on the broader economic damages caused when individuals in positions of authority attempt to punish those who have resisted their improper advances.”
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Gibson Dunn also noted Judd would donate any proceeds from the lawsuit to charity.
Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).