In a recent development, James Dolan, the head of Madison Square Garden, has emerged victorious in a California federal court case. The case involved claims made by Kellye Croft, a former masseuse, who alleged that she was coerced into performing sexual acts during a 2013 tour featuring the Eagles and Dolan’s band, JD & the Straight Shot. A judge has made a decision to dismiss the claims without prejudice, but Croft has the option to file an amended complaint by July 8.
Following the ruling, a spokesperson for James Dolan stated, “The Federal Court in Los Angeles has concluded that there is no basis for any of the allegations against Mr. Dolan. This appears to be a part of Doug Wigdor’s personal vendetta against Mr. Dolan and Madison Square Garden.” It is clear that Dolan’s team is pleased with the outcome and views it as a vindication of his innocence.
In response to the dismissal, a representative from Wigdor’s firm mentioned, “We are prepared to address the concerns raised by the Court regarding Ms. Croft’s sex trafficking claim in an amended complaint.” This indicates that the legal battle is far from over, and there may be further developments in the case as it progresses.
This is not the first time that Doug Wigdor and Madison Square Garden have clashed in court. Previously, Wigdor’s firm represented former Knicks player Charles Oakley in a case against Dolan and MSG relating to Oakley’s ejection from the arena in 2017. Despite initial denials from MSG, Oakley’s lawsuit was initially dismissed by a Manhattan judge in both 2020 and 2021, only to be reinstated by an appeals court in 2023. The ongoing legal battles underscore the contentious relationship between the parties involved.
Kellye Croft’s allegations of sexual assault and trafficking, as outlined in her lawsuit filed earlier this year in US District Court for the Central District of California, have brought further scrutiny to James Dolan and his associates. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how these serious accusations will be addressed in a court of law.
James Dolan’s recent legal victory in California marks a significant development in the ongoing legal disputes surrounding him and Madison Square Garden. Despite this initial success, the case is far from over, and the outcome remains uncertain as further legal proceedings are anticipated. Dolan’s reputation and standing in the entertainment industry could be significantly impacted by the outcome of these legal battles, making it a situation worth following closely.
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