Michael Ovitz Ordered to Finish Deposition in Julia Ormond Suit

A New York judge on Thursday ordered Michael Ovitz, the co-founder of CAA, to return and finish his deposition in Julia Ormond's sexual assault lawsuit by Dec. 18. Judge Adam Silvera found that Ovitz had 'inappropriately terminated' the deposition rather than completing it, according to Variety. The judge denied requests for an arrest warrant and a contempt finding, but declined to bar further questions about Jeffrey Epstein.

The dispute stems from a June 1 deposition in which Ovitz became angry when Ormond's lawyers asked whether he was friendly with Epstein, Variety reported. He asked what the question had to do with Harvey Weinstein, removed his microphone and walked out. Ormond's lawyers then asked the court to hold Ovitz in contempt and issue an arrest warrant, while Ovitz sought to be excused from further questioning, arguing the lawyers were harassing him with irrelevant material.

Ormond sued CAA over its role in arranging a December 1995 meeting for her with Weinstein, after which Weinstein allegedly sexually assaulted her. Ovitz had already left the agency by then, but Ormond's lawyers have sought to question him about CAA's relationship with Weinstein and its handling of sexual misconduct issues.

In a statement Thursday, Ormond's attorneys — Kevin Mintzer, Meredith Firetog and Effie Blassberger — praised the ruling. They said the court made clear that Ovitz was not entitled to storm out and 'is not above the law,' and that they look forward to resuming the deposition. CAA's lawyers have argued that Ovitz was ambushed with material meant to smear his character rather than reveal anything relevant to the case.

Earlier this year, emails between Ovitz and Epstein were disclosed as part of the Epstein files, according to Variety. In one message, Ovitz said he was looking forward to seeing Epstein in St. Barts; in another, he wrote, 'I would love to see you.' The judge's order requires Ovitz to complete his testimony by Dec. 18.