In the civil lawsuit filed in April accused Weinstein of
smearing her reputation by discouraging director Peter Jackson
from casting her in his blockbuster movie franchise "The Lord of
the Rings."
Phyllis Kupferstein, an attorney for Weinstein who sought to
have the lawsuit dismissed, had argued at a hearing on Tuesday
that the alleged defamation was barred by the statute of
limitations.
Judd's attorneys argued that she had no way of knowing she had
been defamed until Jackson revealed in a December 2017 interview
with news website Stuff that Weinstein's company, Miramax told
him Judd was a "nightmare to work with."
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez wrote in a 15-page ruling
that "even if she had conducted a diligent investigation" Judd
would have failed to learn of the alleged defamation within the
one-year statute of limitations.
"Plaintiff may proceed on her claims for defamation, intentional
interference with prospective economic advantage, and violation
of the (unfair competition law)," the judge wrote.
Judd starred in 1990s thrillers "Kiss the Girls" and "Double
Jeopardy."
The lawsuit claimed that her career was undermined by not
landing a part in the multi-billion dollar franchise "The Lord
of the Rings," and she accused Weinstein of sexually harassing
her in violation of a California law barring such conduct by a
person in a "business, service or professional relationship"
with another.
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Judd also claimed that Weinstein made sexual advances toward her
when she met him at a hotel to discuss potential film roles, but
Gutierrez ruled that would not have been covered by the California
sexual harassment law. His order, however, allowed Judd to file an
amended complaint within a month showing why the statute should
apply.
Judd's attorney Ted Boutrous said on Tuesday that Jackson had spoken
with Judd's legal team and could furnish powerful testimony
supporting her lawsuit against Weinstein.
A number of women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. He
has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
Judd was one of the first women in October 2017 to publicly accuse
Weinstein of sexual misconduct, helping give rise to the #MeToo
social media movement against sexual misconduct that has contributed
to the downfall of several leading figures in media, entertainment,
politics and corporate America.
Weinstein has been charged with sexual assault in a separate
criminal case in New York.
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; editing by Bill Tarrant)
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