NEW YORK — A jury has awarded more than $1.6 billion to 40 women who accused filmmaker James Toback of a sustained pattern of sexual misconduct, including assault and psychological abuse. This verdict stems from a lawsuit that followed a 2017 investigation revealing multiple allegations of harassment against Toback.
The damages awarded consist of $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion in punitive damages. Mary Monahan, one of the plaintiffs, expressed her feelings of validation after the verdict, stating, “A jury heard us and a jury believed us.”
Lead counsel Brad Beckworth emphasized the importance of this ruling, asserting that it sends a clear message to the entertainment industry about the ongoing relevance of the #MeToo movement. He remarked that the verdict indicates that such behavior will not be tolerated in any industry, from New York to Hollywood and beyond.
Toback, known for his Oscar-nominated film “Bugsy,” did not attend the trial and had previously attempted to dismiss the case but ultimately did not participate in the proceedings. As a result, the jury’s decision reflects a partial default judgment in favor of the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit originally named the Harvard Club of New York City as a co-defendant, alleging that Toback met some women there prior to the alleged misconduct. However, the social club was dismissed from the case by mutual agreement.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed in December 2022 under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, Toback allegedly exploited professional meetings to coerce women into sexual situations over several decades. Testimony during the trial included contributions from 20 women who spoke in person and another 20 who provided video testimonies.
The Adult Survivors Act was passed to allow survivors of sexual abuse to file civil claims regardless of when the incidents occurred. Attorney Ross Leonoudakis shared that the testimony spanned a timeline from 1979 to 2014, offering a glimpse into years of unaddressed abuse.
This verdict marks a significant moment in what experts believe is a continuing effort to seek accountability in cases of sexual misconduct. Notably, this trial is the second prominent case tried under the Adult Survivors Act following author E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, in which a jury found Trump liable for his actions.
Throughout the proceedings, Toback denied the allegations leveled against him, claiming he had no knowledge of the women involved and attributing his inability to engage in the described behavior to health issues. Despite his claims, nearly 400 women reached out to share their experiences of harassment after the initial 2017 report.
Following the jury’s ruling, the plaintiffs’ legal team will work towards recovering the awarded amount, although Monahan noted that their primary objective was not financial compensation but rather a pursuit of justice. “We wanted justice, and now we have it,” she said.
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