According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the Southern District of New York dismissed the remaining assault-and-battery claim in its entirety after finding no supporting evidence of excessive force or wrongful physical contact.
Judge Sullivan Rules Oakley Produced No Evidence of Assault
Judge Sullivan wrote in his decision that video footage and witness testimony disproved Oakley’s allegations. According to ABC News, the judge stated that “ample evidence — including videos from multiple angles and the unanimous testimony of every witness (even, to some extent, Oakley himself) — shows that Oakley had a reasonable opportunity to depart the Garden, that he instead resorted to physical violence, and that he was never pushed to the ground.” The court concluded that no rational jury could find that Oakley faced a reasonable fear of wrongful physical contact by MSG staff.
Madison Square Garden Pursues Sanctions Against Legal Team
According to the Associated Press, MSG stated, “For more than nine years, Mr. Oakley’s lawyers have pursued claims they knew were false. Those claims have now been dismissed by the Court in their entirety — for the third time.” The organization added that it is actively pursuing legal action against Douglas Wigdor and his firm to hold them accountable for what it termed frivolous litigation and an abuse of the judicial system.
Oakley’s Counsel Weighs Further Appeals
Despite the dismissal, Oakley’s attorney maintained that the dispute belongs before a jury. According to ABC News, Douglas Wigdor expressed disappointment in the court’s rulings via email, writing, “We believe there are conflicting accounts and only a jury can decide what exactly happened. We are hopeful that the Second Circuit will agree for a third time and remand the case for an immediate jury trial.” Oakley initially filed multiple claims against MSG following his 2017 arrest, which stemmed from a physical altercation with security while sitting near team owner James Dolan during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
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