NEW YORK (AP) — The ongoing legal skirmishes linked to fallen mogul Harvey Weinstein have escalated into a notable family conflict. Kaja Sokola, who testified against Weinstein, accused her sister Ewa of undermining her case, and this has sparked a defamation lawsuit filed by Ewa against Kaja.
Ewa Sokola, a cardiologist in Poland, claims Kaja's public comments have severely marred her reputation and career, leading her to pursue unspecified damages in a Manhattan federal court. The sisters’ relationship is now strained as the accusations continue to fly.
The defamation suit springs from Ewa's assertion that Kaja has falsely portrayed her public statements as damaging to her own credibility. Ewa argues that Kaja's testimony during Weinstein's trial not only disparaged her but also harmed her patients and colleagues.
The sisters' dispute has drawn particular attention as it stems from a profound and troubling backdrop: the allegations of sexual assault against Weinstein by multiple women, including the sisters. Kaja accused Weinstein of assaulting her just before her 20th birthday in a hotel room, a claim she has stood by through the trials.
Ewa, originally seen as a supportive witness for her sister, now faces backlash from Kaja who says Ewa’s testimony inadvertently favored Weinstein. In an ironic twist of fate, Kaja now refers to her sister’s cooperation with the defense as a personal betrayal.
Through these legal challenges, the ramifications of the trial extend beyond the courtroom, affecting personal relationships and professional reputations in profound ways. As complexities deepen, the Sokola sisters find themselves battling not only for justice against Weinstein but also against each other, further complicating the already charged atmosphere surrounding the #MeToo movement.
