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Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz and his legal team are denying the allegations made toward him in a civil lawsuit.
The allegations in the civil suit came from dance teacher Mitchell Taylor Button and his wife Dusty Button, who was formerly a principal member of the Boston Ballet. The Buttons are currently involved in a court case involving seven ballerinas who have accused them of sexual abuse.
As reported by CBC News earlier this month, the Buttons filed a third-party counterclaim in U.S. District Court in Nevada, admitting to having a consensual sexual relationship as a “throuple” with Sage Humphries, who is the lead plaintiff in the suit. The claim describes a “loving and supportive” affair which began in 2017, when Humphries was 18, but alleges she had been involved in three previous sexual relationships involving older men, including Katz, when she was an underage teenager.
The third-party claim states that any damages should be paid by those who “actually engaged in illegal acts with her.”
The newly filed civil suit claims that Katz paid the underage ballet dancer $75,000 for “sexual favors,” an allegation which has been refuted by Katz’s legal team, claiming the money exchange was a business transaction regarding a film project Humphries was pitching to Katz.
Robert Klieger, legal counsel for Katz, sent this statement regarding the suit:
“Daryl Katz denies the allegations against him by Mitchell Taylor Button and Dusty Button without reservation. There has never been a sexual relationship of any kind between Mr. Katz and Ms. Humphries.
“Critically, the allegations against Mr. Katz are not being made by Ms. Humphries. The accusations are instead being made by the Buttons, who Ms. Humphries and six other women have accused of exploiting their position of power and influence in the dance world to sexually abuse young dancers across the country. Mr. Katz has never met the Buttons, and their false accusations against him are a transparent and pathetic attempt to distract attention from the abhorrent acts with which they stand charged.
“Media considering this matter are encouraged to consider the background not only of the Buttons but also of their attorney, Marc Randazza, which is a matter of public record.
“Mr. Katz will vigorously defend his reputation against these baseless and scurrilous claims and will seek sanctions and damages against both the Buttons and their counsel for this frivolous and malicious attack on his character.”
Earlier Thursday in the article on CBC news, Humphries’ lawyers said the following:
“As is typical of abusers facing serious litigation, the Buttons have filed counterclaims that distract from and distort the truth and weaponize the serious allegations of abuse that have been brought against them.
“Their counterclaims falsely implicate others and are an unfounded attempt to portray the women they abused as liars.”
Klieger added Katz will defend his reputation against the “baseless and scurrilous” claims in the suit.
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