In her attempt to block the disgraced producer's motion to put her case on hold, the 'Trafficked' actress argues that he 'has continued, even post-indictment, to try and smear his accusers.'
- Feb 12, 2019
AceShowbiz - Ashley Judd has asked a judge to deny disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's request to postpone her civil lawsuit against him.
The "Double Jeopardy" star launched legal action in April (2018), accusing the disgraced producer of blacklisting her and sabotaging her career after she refused his sexual advances.
In her suit, she referred to comments made by "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson in late 2017, when he confessed to dropping Judd from casting consideration for his 2001 fantasy blockbuster, based on remarks Weinstein had allegedly made about her lack of professionalism.
Weinstein vehemently denied trying to derail Judd's career and in August (2018) he filed a motion asking for the actress' case to be dismissed, declaring the accusations were based on unfounded speculation.
His bid was shot down in September (2018), and Judd was given permission to continue with her defamation and interference case, with a trial date set for January, 2020. Weinstein is trying to have the case put on hold while he battles other legal matters linked to sexual abuse allegations and has informed lawmakers he will invoke his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination if the battle with Judd continues. Weinstein's lawyers are arguing his testimony in the civil lawsuit could affect a criminal sexual assault case in New York.
According to The Blast, Judd is now asking the judge to deny his motion because "he has continued, even post-indictment, to try and smear his accusers...".
"A stay would allow Weinstein to continue litigating this case in the shadows, while denying Ms. Judd the opportunity to obtain evidence from, among others, Weinstein himself and the many women he has silenced with non-disclosure agreements."
Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by over 80 women, including Judd, since allegations of his bad behaviour hit headlines in exposes in October, 2017. He has denied all claims of non-consensual sex.
