New York Knicks Owner James Dolan Accused of Horrifying Sexual Assault With Harvey Weinstein

In a federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Kellye Croft, a Tennessee woman, accuses James Dolan, chairman of Madison Square Garden and governor of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, of pressuring her into unwanted sexual encounters nearly a decade ago.

The lawsuit, obtained by ESPN, claims that Dolan, during a tour with his band JD & The Straight Shot in 2013, allegedly engaged in assertive and unwanted sexual intercourse with Croft.

Croft, who was 27 at the time and working as a licensed massage therapist, further alleges in the lawsuit that James Dolan made unwelcome advances in subsequent encounters, creating a situation where she felt obligated to submit to sexual activities.

Notably, Dolan is also accused of facilitating a meeting with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, leading to Croft's alleged sexual assault by Weinstein.

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Harvey Weinstein Denies Allegations

Harvey Weinstein, through his attorney Jennifer Bonjean, vehemently denies the allegations related to the lawsuit.

Weinstein, currently serving a prison sentence for previous convictions of rape and sexual assault, faces additional legal challenges.

Croft is seeking both monetary and punitive damages in the lawsuit, emphasizing that the trauma had silenced her for years.

"I have suffered so profoundly because of what James Dolan and Harvey Weinstein did to me years ago, and it was not an easy decision to come forward and seek justice. But for me, to truly address my trauma, I need to seek accountability," Croft told CNN.

She also hopes the lawsuit forces Dolan to acknowledge what he did to her and to take responsibility for the harm he has caused.

Croft's attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, emphasized the need to hold Dolan accountable for his actions and stated that the lawsuit marks a crucial step toward seeking justice.

James Dolan Attorney Speaks Up on the Allegations

James Dolan, as the executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., heads both the NBA's Knicks and NHL's Rangers.

His attorney, E. Danya Perry, categorically denies the allegations, stating, "there is no merit" to Croft's claims, COURIER NEWS noted.

Perry highlights the existence of compelling evidence supporting their position and expresses confidence in proving their case in court.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver refrained from commenting specifically on the James Dolan accusation, stating that he had only read news stories about the lawsuit and would wait for more information.

Dolan's lawyer, Perry, contends that Croft and Dolan had a friendship, and the lawsuit is not a matter of he said/she said but a case backed by compelling evidence.

The Madison Square Garden organization, under Dolan's ownership, has faced legal challenges in the past.

Notably, former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders accused former team president Isiah Thomas of sexual harassment.

James Dolan supported Thomas, who was not personally found liable, leading to a significant settlement awarded to Browne Sanders.

Additionally, former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley sued Dolan after a forced arrest at a game in 2017, although the lawsuit was dismissed three years later.

More recently, an attorney, a longtime Knicks ticket holder, sued Madison Square Garden Entertainment when their firm's tickets were revoked after representing a group suing MSG for violating New York's Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.

The organization did not respond to requests for comment as of Tuesday.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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