On November 22, 2023, a civil suit was filed against a long-time Broadway costume designer, William Ivey Long, and the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) in New York State Supreme Court. Plaintiff Court Watson, represented by Senior Associate Alex Berke, alleges forcible touching against Defendant Long and negligent hiring, retention, supervision and direction against Defendant RIHA. Under the Adult Survivors Act, Plaintiff Watson was permitted to bring forth claims from his time working on the production of The Lost Colony (2000-2003), which would normally be barred by the statute of limitations.
NPR, who previously reported on accusations against Defendant Long, reported on the lawsuit filing. Read Anastasia Tsioulcas’ article here.