Ortolani Lawsuit: COJ Motion to Dismiss Denied

June 26, 2026
District Court, Massachusetts

In the case Oliver Ortolani (Plaintiff) v. Community of Jesus, Inc., Arts Empowering Life, Inc., and Performing Arts Building Foundation, Inc. (Defendants) , the defendants had submitted a Motion to Dismiss.

The judge issued his ruling today, denying that motion.

Every major claim survived

The court declined to dismiss claims involving:

• Forced labor
• Human trafficking
• Conspiracy
• Massachusetts labor trafficking
• Unjust enrichment

Download the legal document here.

What does this mean?

• The judge did not determine the allegations are true.
• The judge did determine the allegations are legally sufficient to move forward (the lawsuit should proceed).
• Every major claim survived.
• The case now proceeds to the discovery phase, in which the evidence will be presented.

See the Cape Cod Chronicle’s article on it here.