Michael Ovitz ordered to complete deposition in Julia Ormond lawsuit
Michael Ovitz has been ordered to return for questioning in actor Julia Ormond's sexual assault lawsuit against Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the talent agency he co-founded.
Judge Adam Silvera ruled that Ovitz must complete his deposition — sworn, out-of-court testimony taken before trial — by 18 Dec, according to Variety. The judge found that Ovitz had ended his earlier session improperly rather than finishing it.
That earlier session took place on 1 June. Ovitz left after lawyers asked whether he was friendly with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, Variety reported. The court record treats the walkout as a termination, not a completion.
The underlying case centres on a meeting in December 1995. Ormond alleges CAA arranged a business meeting with producer Harvey Weinstein, after which Weinstein sexually assaulted her, according to Variety. Weinstein has denied allegations of non-consensual sexual conduct in other cases. CAA is a defendant in Ormond's claim.
Ovitz is not accused of assault in the suit. He had already left CAA by the time of the December 1995 meeting between Ormond and Weinstein, Variety reported. His evidence is being sought as a former leader of the agency.
Ormond's lawyers asked the court to hold Ovitz in contempt — a formal finding that someone has disobeyed a court order — and to issue a warrant for his arrest. The judge denied both requests, according to Variety. No arrest or contempt finding was made.
The order leaves the Epstein line of questioning open. The judge refused to rule in advance that further questions about Epstein would be barred when Ovitz resumes his testimony, Variety reported.
That issue follows emails between Ovitz and Epstein disclosed earlier this year. In them, Ovitz said he looked forward to seeing Epstein in St. Barts and wrote "I would love to see you," according to Variety. The messages form part of the argument over what can be asked.
Separately, court records show the related matter of Ormond v Weinstein listed as No. 86 on the clerk's list of recently filed appeals in Advance Sheet No. 32, according to New York Courts. The listing records the appeal's place on the docket. It does not decide any allegation.
