A New York jury awarded $1.68 billion in damages on Wednesday to 40 women who accused filmmaker James Toback of sexual abuse spanning 35 years. This significant verdict was reported by the legal team representing the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit originated in Manhattan in 2022, coinciding with New York state’s enactment of a law allowing individuals one year to file civil lawsuits for sexual assault claims, even those dating back several decades. Attorney Brad Beckworth of Nix Patterson LLP noted that the award ranks among the largest since the #MeToo movement began, highlighting a historic moment in New York legal proceedings. Plaintiffs expressed hope that this landmark decision would convey a strong message to those in powerful positions who fail to respect women.
Details of the jury’s decision had not yet been made public by Wednesday evening. According to Beckworth, the damages included $280 million in compensatory costs and $1.4 billion in punitive damages. He emphasized the implications of the jury’s ruling, stating, “This verdict is about justice. But more importantly, it’s about taking power back from the abusers.”
The allegations against Toback, who was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for “Bugsy” in 1991, first surfaced in late 2017, coinciding with the rise of the #MeToo movement. Reports initially published by the Los Angeles Times revealed that multiple women had accused Toback of years of sexual misconduct. However, in 2018, prosecutors in Los Angeles determined that the statute of limitations had expired in five cases and opted not to pursue criminal charges.
Following the passage of New York’s Adult Survivors Act, the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit. Their legal team disclosed a pattern of Toback allegedly luring young women under false pretenses of offering roles in his films, only to subject them to sexual acts, threats, and coercion.
Lead plaintiff Mary Monahan characterized the jury’s award as a “validation” for herself and the other women involved. She stated, “For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. That changes everything. This verdict is more than a number — it’s a declaration. We are not disposable. We are not liars.”
In contrast, Toback, who is now 80 years old, has consistently denied the charges against him, asserting through court filings that any encounters with the plaintiffs were consensual. He also argued that the new law extending the statute of limitations infringed upon his constitutional rights. Attempts to reach him for further comment did not elicit a response.
Earlier this year, a judge issued a default judgment against Toback due to his failure to appear in court as required. Subsequently, a trial was conducted last month to determine the extent of the damages owed to the plaintiffs.
This case marks a compelling chapter in the ongoing dialogue surrounding accountability in Hollywood and points to the broader impacts of the #MeToo movement on survivors seeking justice for their experiences.
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