NEW YORK — Ewa Sokola, a well-known cardiologist from Poland, has filed a lawsuit against her sister Kaja Sokola citing defamation after Kaja's testimony at Harvey Weinstein's criminal trial. Kaja accused the disgraced Hollywood mogul of sexual assault, during which Ewa provided support as a witness but inadvertently assisted the defense.
The lawsuit, submitted in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, alleges that Kaja's public comments amount to libel, adversely affecting Ewa's reputation and professional life. Ewa claims her sister's statements subjected her to public disdain and have led to a significant drop in patient referrals at her medical practice.
Ewa further contends that the remarks made by Kaja have been false, accusing her of various serious offenses including homicide and sexual impropriety. Kaja's trial testimony and subsequent public statements have been called a personal betrayal by Ewa, who asserts that these claims are unfounded and have caused irreparable harm to her professional standing.
The backdrop of this lawsuit unfolds amidst the complexities of Weinstein's trial where he was convicted on charges of sexual assault against another individual but faced challenges with allegations involving Kaja. In the courtroom, Kaja's contributions reportedly undermined her own claims against Weinstein, leading her sister to support the defense's narrative.
As the legal proceedings develop, both sisters have found themselves entrenched not just in familial discord but also in the broader conversation surrounding the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the legal battles that ensue from high-profile sexual assault trials.
As of now, Ewa Sokola is seeking unspecified damages, while Kaja has repeatedly criticized her sister's disloyalty, creating further strain on an already tense familial relationship.
