James Dolan has as soon as once more discovered himself with authorized issues. His choice to ban attorneys who represented a gaggle of ticket resellers who sued the New York Knicks workforce proprietor — a swimsuit that was dismissed in spring 2023 — presently has Madison Sq. Backyard’s liquor license in jeopardy. A new swimsuit in opposition to Dolan, has accused him of sexual misconduct, intercourse trafficking, and linked to convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.
A lady put her identify on a lawsuit — Kellye Croft — that accused Dolan of pressuring her into intercourse that she didn’t need, per the New York Instances. This allegedly occurred whereas he and his band, JD and the Straight Shot, have been on tour with the Eagles in 2013. Croft said within the swimsuit that she was employed to be the masseuse for Glenn Frey, however was allowed to schedule with different shoppers. She claims that she was “adamant” to Dolan that she did need to have a sexual relationship with him however was nonetheless pressured into doing so. It occurred a number of different instances as a result of she felt “obligated to take action.”
Additionally, in line with the lawsuit, Dolan invited Croft in early 2014 to the Los Angeles leg of the tour which is the place she met Weinstein. She alleges that Weinstein invited her to his resort room, and made her really feel uncomfortable. After leaving, Weinstein allegedly walked her down, barged into her room, and forcibly penetrated her. Per the swimsuit, what stopped him was a name that Croft obtained from Dolan, and he later advised her that Weinstein is “a troubled individual.” She is suing Dolan for intercourse trafficking, and each of them for “sexual assault and forcible touching.”
Attorneys for each Dolan and Weinstein have denied the accusations. Dolan has been on the document that he was not conscious of the disgraced Hollywood government’s crimes, and even wrote a tune about it. The final time that Dolan discovered himself in court docket due for a sexual harassment case, 2007, it didn’t go nicely for him.
In 2006, when Anucha Browne Sanders sued Isiah Thomas and MSG for sexual harassment and retaliation, a jury dominated in favor Browne Sanders. Not solely that, however the $eleven-plus million that she was awarded was to be paid out by Madison Sq. Backyard and Dolan, personally, for making a hostile work atmosphere and unjustly terminating her.
What got here out of that trial, apart from a judgment in Browne Sanders’ favor, was the revelation of a poisonous tradition with the New York Knicks and MSG. A low-level worker — Hassan Gonsalves — had been fired for sexual harassment after accusations by a number of feminine staff. Additionally, in 2007, Madison Sq. Backyard settled a lawsuit from former New York Rangers cheerleading captain — Courtney Prince — alleging sexual harassment, and retaliation lower than a month after the conclusion of the Browne Sanders case.
That was presupposed to be the unhealthy outdated days. Again when folks like Weinstein operated in the dead of night, however but additionally out within the open. Now, greater than 15 years after Dolan and his firm have been pressured to pay thousands and thousands in a trial that introduced worldwide disgrace to himself, MSG, the Knicks and the Rangers, he has once more been named in a lawsuit that alleges sexual misconduct. The allegations this time are directed at him, versus him overseeing an uncontrolled group.
If nothing else, Dolan can not maintain his firm, his buildings, his groups, his firm, away from high-profile lawsuits. Which is all concrete proof that he has been terrible at his day job for a very long time.