A lawsuit accusing Harvey Weinstein of violating
sex-trafficking laws when he allegedly assaulted an aspiring British
actress in 2014 will be allowed to proceed, a US judge ruled Tuesday.
Kadian Noble alleges that the disgraced Hollywood movie producer
invited her to a hotel room in Cannes, France and promised her a film
role before groping her and forcing her to masturbate him.
Her lawsuit, filed in November, alleges that the incident amounted to
forcing her to perform a commercial sex act. Weinstein had sought to
have the lawsuit dismissed.
In a ruling published on Tuesday, New York Judge Robert Sweet wrote
that "While the instant case is not an archteypal sex trafficking
action, the allegations plausibly establish that Harvey's 2014
conduct in Cannes, France violated" US sex trafficking laws.
Weinstein's contention that Noble "was given nothing of value ...
does not reflect modern reality," Sweet said, noting that Weinstein
had given her "the expectation of a film role, of a modelling
meeting, of 'his people' being 'in touch with her'."
In the same ruling, Sweet dismissed Noble's allegations that
Weinstein's brother Robert Weinstein had facilitated and knowingly
benefited from Harvey's alleged sex trafficking activities.
Dozens of women including high-profile actresses have accused Harvey
Weinstein of sexual assault since October, when US media detailed
numerous allegations against him.
Currently out on 1-million-dollar bail, he is also facing six charges
of rape and sexual assault, which he denies.