A judge in New York has ordered CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz to return and finish his deposition in the sexual assault lawsuit filed by actress Julia Ormond. The ruling came after Ovitz abruptly ended the proceedings in June when questioning turned to his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Ormond is suing the talent agency, alleging that CAA arranged a meeting with producer Harvey Weinstein in December 1995, which was followed by an alleged sexual assault. Although Ovitz had already departed the agency by that time, Ormond’s legal team sought to examine his role regarding the agency’s handling of Weinstein and broader issues of sexual misconduct within the firm.
During the June 1 deposition, Ovitz became visibly agitated when asked if he maintained a friendship with Epstein. He removed his microphone and left the room, asking, “What does this got to do with Harvey Weinstein?”
Ormond’s attorneys subsequently requested that Judge Adam Silvera issue an arrest warrant and hold Ovitz in contempt. Conversely, Ovitz’s legal team asked to be excused from further testimony, arguing that the inquiries were harassing and irrelevant to the case. CAA attorneys maintained that their client was ambushed by questions designed to smear his reputation rather than uncover facts pertinent to the lawsuit.
In his Thursday ruling, Judge Silvera determined that Ovitz “inappropriately terminated” the deposition rather than completing it. The judge denied the requests for an arrest warrant and a contempt finding but explicitly refused to bar further questions regarding Epstein. Ovitz has been ordered to complete the deposition by December 18.
“The decision makes clear that Mr. Ovitz was not entitled to storm out of the deposition, and that he is not above the law,” Ormond’s attorneys Kevin Mintzer, Meredith Firetog, and Effie Blassberger said in a statement. “We look forward to resuming the deposition and trust that Mr. Ovitz will behave himself.”
The dispute arises amid previously disclosed emails between Ovitz and Epstein from earlier this year. In one message, Ovitz wrote that he was “looking forward to seeing Epstein at St. Barts,” and in another, he stated, “I would love to see you.”
The St. Barts emails sound damning. I wonder what else he has to hide now that the judge closed the door?
Storming out of a deposition is such a weak move. Hope he actually shows up this time.
Why are Epstein questions even allowed if he wasn’t with CAA then? This feels like a fishing expedition to smear him.
Good. Walking out doesn’t let you dodge relevant questions about Weinstein’s network and Epstein’s influence.