A jury in New York awarded $1.68 billion in damages on Wednesday to 40 women who accused writer and director James Toback of sexual abuse over 35 years, according to attorneys representing the plaintiffs. This landmark decision follows a lawsuit initiated in Manhattan in 2022, coinciding with New York state’s introduction of a one-year window for individuals to file lawsuits concerning historical sexual assault claims.
The verdict stands as one of the most significant jury awards in New York’s history and among the largest since the #MeToo movement gained traction, attorney Brad Beckworth from Nix Patterson LLP noted in an interview. The plaintiffs aim to underscore a message to those in positions of power regarding the treatment of women.
While the court had yet to release the official documentation of the verdict by Wednesday night, Beckworth explained that the $1.68 billion judgment encompasses $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion in punitive damages.
“This verdict is about justice,” Beckworth stated. “More importantly, it’s about reclaiming power from abusers and their enablers, returning it to those whom they sought to silence.”
The allegations against Toback span from 1979 to 2014. The writer, known for his Oscar nomination for the 1991 film “Bugsy,” has faced accusations of sexual misconduct since late 2017 when the #MeToo movement brought attention to various allegations. Initial reports published by the Los Angeles Times highlighted these claims.
In 2018, Los Angeles prosecutors determined that the statutes of limitations had lapsed in five cases, opting not to pursue criminal charges against Toback. Consequently, the plaintiffs filed their civil lawsuit shortly after New York’s Adult Survivors Act became effective. Their legal team identified a disturbing pattern in Toback’s behavior, suggesting he lured young women under the pretense of offering film roles, only to subject them to various forms of coercion and abuse.
Mary Monahan, a principal plaintiff in the case, described the jury’s decision as “validation” for her and the other women involved. “For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. That changes everything,” she said. “This verdict is more than a number — it’s a declaration that we are not disposable and our experiences matter.”
At 80 years old, Toback has consistently denied the allegations, asserting through court documents that he engaged in consensual encounters with the plaintiffs. He also contested the constitutionality of New York’s law extending the statute of limitations.
Attempts to reach Toback for comment via email received no response.
In January, a judge ruled against Toback after he failed to appear in court, resulting in a default judgment. A trial exclusively focused on damages occurred last month to determine the total compensation owed to the plaintiffs.
This case illustrates the ongoing challenges and conversations surrounding sexual abuse and accountability in the entertainment industry, shining a light on the struggles many face in seeking justice.
This article was automatically written by Open AI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested to be removed, retracted, or corrected by writing an email to [email protected].