A New York jury delivered a landmark verdict on Wednesday, awarding $1.68 billion to 40 women who accused filmmaker James Toback of sexual misconduct over a span of 35 years. The ruling comes from a lawsuit initiated in Manhattan in 2022, following the enactment of a state law that temporarily allows victims to pursue legal action for past sexual assault claims.
This verdict stands out as one of the most significant jury awards since the #MeToo movement took off and is noted as one of the largest in New York’s legal history. Attorney Brad Beckworth, representing the plaintiffs from the law firm Nix Patterson LLP, emphasized the ruling’s potential impact, stating that it sends a clear message to influential figures who fail to respect women.
As of Wednesday night, the court had not made public the official documentation of the verdict, but Beckworth revealed that the total amount includes $280 million in compensatory damages and an astonishing $1.4 billion in punitive damages.
“This verdict symbolizes justice, but more importantly, it is about reclaiming power from abusers and their accomplices,” Beckworth remarked. He also noted the alleged abuse perpetrated by Toback occurred between 1979 and 2014.
James Toback, who received an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay for the 1991 film “Bugsy,” has a storied career in Hollywood spanning more than four decades. Allegations against him emerged publicly in late 2017, during the rise of the #MeToo movement, with early reports by the Los Angeles Times bringing the accusations to light.
In 2018, Los Angeles authorities determined that the statutes of limitations had lapsed on five cases reviewed against Toback, leading to a decision not to pursue criminal charges. Subsequently, the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit shortly after the state implemented its Adult Survivors Act, allowing previously time-barred claims to be heard.
The plaintiffs’ legal team reported a disturbing pattern of Toback allegedly luring young women in New York with false promises of film roles, followed by sexual advances and coercive threats. Lead plaintiff Mary Monahan described the jury’s decision as a crucial validation for her and her fellow survivors.
“For too long, I endured this trauma silently, and today, a jury stood by us. This changes everything,” Monahan stated. She emphasized that the ruling is not merely a financial figure but a strong affirmation of their experiences and truth.
Toback, now 80, denied the sexual allegations during court proceedings, claiming that all encounters with the plaintiffs were consensual. He also contested the constitutionality of New York’s law extending the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases.
Attempts to reach Toback for comment remained unanswered. In January, a judge issued a default judgment against him after he failed to appear in court as required, leading to a damages trial last month.
This ruling could have far-reaching implications in the ongoing conversation about accountability for sexual misconduct, particularly in industries where power dynamics often silence victims.
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