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NEW YORK — A family dispute has escalated into a federal lawsuit after Ewa Sokola, who testified in Harvey Weinstein’s recent criminal trial, filed a defamation claim against her sister Kaja Sokola, one of Weinstein’s accusers. The lawsuit, submitted Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, alleges that Kaja’s public statements have damaged Ewa’s reputation and medical practice in Poland.
The sisters’ relationship deteriorated following their involvement in Weinstein’s New York trial earlier this year, where their testimonies stood in stark contrast. While Kaja accused the disgraced film producer of sexual assault, Ewa’s testimony—originally called to support her sister’s claims—ultimately provided ammunition for Weinstein’s defense team.
According to court documents, Ewa Sokola, a cardiologist practicing in Wrocław, Poland, claims her younger sister has made false statements that have subjected her to “public hatred, shame, contempt, ridicule, ostracism and disgrace” in their home country. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for what Ewa describes as significant harm to her medical practice and professional standing.
At the center of the dispute is Kaja’s accusation that her sister betrayed her during the trial. Kaja, a psychotherapist and former model, alleged Weinstein forced oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel just before her 20th birthday in 2006. She testified that Weinstein had arranged for her to work as an extra on “The Nanny Diaries” and later invited her and Ewa to meet him. According to Kaja, Weinstein then lured her to his hotel room under the pretense of showing her a script, where the assault allegedly occurred.
Ewa’s testimony, however, proved beneficial to the defense after she provided Weinstein’s lawyers with a journal in which she documented sexual assaults she had experienced—a list that did not include Weinstein. Following the trial, Kaja publicly criticized her sister, characterizing her testimony as a personal “betrayal.”
The lawsuit filed this week claims that Kaja falsely accused her sister of deliberately omitting journals that would have corroborated her allegations against Weinstein. It further alleges that Kaja made other damaging false accusations, including claims of “homicide, theft, falsification of medical records, sexual impropriety and immoral conduct,” as well as allegations that Ewa had colluded with Weinstein’s defense team.
According to the legal filing, these accusations have had tangible consequences for Ewa’s medical career, resulting in fewer referrals, a reduction in patients, staff departures, and damage to her professional reputation within the medical community.
Weinstein’s trial concluded in June with a split verdict. The former Hollywood mogul was convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on film and television production assistant Miriam Haley but acquitted on charges related to Kaja Sokola’s allegations. The jury also failed to reach a verdict on a third charge involving former actor Jessica Mann, leading to a mistrial on that count.
Weinstein has not yet been sentenced for his conviction. His legal team has requested that Judge Curtis Farber throw out the verdict after two jurors reportedly told Weinstein’s lawyers they were bullied into convicting him by other members of the jury. Judge Farber is expected to rule on this request on January 8.
This latest lawsuit adds another chapter to the complex legal saga surrounding Weinstein, whose downfall began in 2017 when numerous women came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against him, helping to ignite the global #MeToo movement. The movement has led to greater awareness of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in industries where power imbalances create environments vulnerable to abuse.
Representatives for Kaja Sokola did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday and Friday regarding her sister’s lawsuit.
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8 Comments
This is a messy situation all around. The Weinstein case has clearly caused deep divisions within this family. A public defamation lawsuit will only make things more fraught. I hope the sisters can find a way to work through this privately and avoid further escalation.
The Weinstein trial and its aftermath have clearly taken a toll on this family. A defamation lawsuit is an extreme measure, but the sisters’ conflicting accounts have put them in an extremely difficult position. I hope they can find a path to resolution, even if it’s not an easy one.
The Weinstein trial has brought up a lot of painful issues for many people, and it’s unfortunate to see those tensions spilling over into a family dispute like this. I hope the sisters can find a way to resolve this matter constructively, whether through the courts or private discussions.
This is a complex and sensitive case that touches on difficult personal and legal matters. I hope the sisters can find a way to move forward, even if it’s not an easy path. Defamation lawsuits are rarely the best solution in these kinds of family disputes.
This is a complex and sensitive case involving family members on opposing sides of a high-profile legal matter. I hope both parties can find a way to move forward constructively, whether through the courts or private discussions.
The contrasting testimonies of the two sisters in the Weinstein trial have clearly strained their relationship. A defamation lawsuit is a serious escalation, but I can understand both perspectives. These family dynamics must be very difficult to navigate publicly.
I agree, it’s a challenging situation. Hopefully the courts can provide some clarity, but the real resolution will need to come through open and honest communication between the sisters.
This family dispute over the Harvey Weinstein case is certainly messy and complex. It’s unfortunate when personal disagreements spill out into public defamation lawsuits. I hope the sisters can find a way to resolve this matter privately and move forward.