A New York jury awarded $1.68 billion in damages on Wednesday to 40 women who accused filmmaker James Toback of sexual abuse spanning more than three decades. The decision arose from a lawsuit filed in Manhattan, following New York’s implementation of the Adult Survivors Act, which allowed survivors of sexual assault to file claims regardless of when the incidents occurred.
This verdict marks one of the largest jury awards in recent memory, particularly since the emergence of the #MeToo movement, and is among the highest in the history of New York state, according to Brad Beckworth, an attorney with Nix Patterson LLP representing the plaintiffs. He emphasized that the substantial award aims to convey a strong message to those in positions of power regarding the treatment of women.
As of Wednesday night, court documentation detailing the verdict was still pending. However, Beckworth noted that the jury’s award consisted of $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion designated for punitive damages.
“This verdict signifies justice,” Beckworth remarked, adding, “More importantly, it’s about reclaiming power from those who abuse and silence others.” The accusations against Toback date from 1979 to 2014, as the plaintiffs maintained.
Toback, who received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for the 1991 film “Bugsy,” has faced allegations of sexual misconduct since late 2017, coinciding with the #MeToo movement. The initial reports surfaced in the Los Angeles Times.
In 2018, Los Angeles prosecutors opted not to charge Toback after determining that the statute of limitations had lapsed in five cases they reviewed. Following this, the plaintiffs pursued legal action in New York shortly after the state’s Adult Survivors Act went into effect.
Toback has been accused of luring young women under false pretenses, promising them roles in his films, and then manipulating them into sexual situations through threats and psychological coercion. Mary Monahan, one of the lead plaintiffs, expressed that the jury’s decision validated their experiences.
“For decades, I carried this trauma in silence; today, a jury believed me. They believed us,” Monahan stated. “This verdict is more than a number; it’s a declaration that we are not disposable or liars.”
The 80-year-old Toback has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that any interactions with the plaintiffs were consensual. He has also argued that the extension of the statute of limitations violates his constitutional rights. Efforts to reach Toback for comment through his listed email were unsuccessful.
Earlier this year, the judge entered a default judgment against Toback after he failed to appear in court when required, leading to a trial solely focused on the determination of damages.
This landmark verdict highlights the ongoing impact of the #MeToo movement, as survivors continue to seek justice for their experiences.
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