Key Facts
Michael Ovitz, co-founder of CAA, abruptly walked out of a deposition on June 1 after being questioned about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The deposition was part of a lawsuit filed by actress Julia Ormond, who alleges CAA facilitated her sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein in 1995.
Details of the Deposition
According to a transcript filed in court, Ovitz became irate when Ormond's attorney, Kevin Mintzer, asked about his friendship with Epstein. Ovitz initially denied being friendly, then asked, "What's your definition of 'friendly'?" He admitted visiting Epstein's home once for 20 minutes at the recommendation of JP Morgan Bank. When pressed about a visit to St. Barts, Ovitz retorted, "What does this got to do with Harvey Weinstein?" He then declared, "I'm not going to discuss anything about Jeffrey Epstein. You can ask all the questions you want — you're going to get no answers." Moments later, he removed his microphone, slammed the door, and left the building, ending the session 45 minutes into a scheduled three-hour deposition.
Legal Consequences
Ormond's attorneys are now seeking a contempt ruling and an arrest warrant to compel Ovitz to complete the deposition. Attorney Meredith Firetog stated, "Ovitz has no plausible defense for his contemptuous conduct." CAA's lawyer objected that they were not notified about Epstein-related questions.
Background of the Lawsuit
Ormond sued CAA, Weinstein, Miramax, and Disney in 2023 under New York's Adult Survivors Act. She claims CAA knew of Weinstein's predatory behavior but failed to warn her before a dinner meeting where she was allegedly assaulted. Disney and Miramax settled out of court, but CAA continues to deny wrongdoing.
Ovitz's Relationship with Epstein
Emails released by the Justice Department earlier this year revealed Ovitz had cordial exchanges with Epstein. In a 2012 email, Ovitz wrote, "I would love to see you." Another email expressed anticipation for a St. Barts meeting, and a third said, "we both are raving about you." Despite this, Ovitz refused to discuss Epstein during the deposition.
What Readers Should Know
This incident highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding Hollywood's handling of sexual misconduct. Ovitz's walkout may result in sanctions, and the case continues to shed light on the industry's culture.
FAQ
- Why did Michael Ovitz walk out of the deposition? Ovitz walked out after being asked about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, refusing to answer any questions on the topic.
- Who is Julia Ormond and why is she suing CAA? Julia Ormond is an actress who sued CAA for allegedly setting her up to be sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in 1995.
- What did Ovitz say about Harvey Weinstein? Ovitz called Weinstein a 'bully' and said he disliked his business methodology, but claimed he was unaware of sexual misconduct allegations until 2017.
Source: variety.com