Los Angeles — In a landmark decision for cases involving sexual misconduct allegations within corporate environments, a Los Angeles jury has handed down a $900 million award to a woman who accused businessman Alkiviades David, known as David Alki, of sexual harassment, assault, and rape. The verdict represents one of the most substantial in such cases, reflecting a serious stance against sexual misconduct by figures of authority.
The case, which garnered significant attention, revolves around allegations from a former employee who worked under David as a production manager from February 2016 to April 2019. David, a billionaire tycoon and inheritor of the Coca-Cola bottling and distribution fortune, has faced multiple allegations of similar misconduct over the past years, with six other women bringing forward civil lawsuits against him.
Despite his wealth and the backing of a major international corporation, David’s legal confrontations have dragged his reputation through scrutiny. His familial ties place him as a partial heir to Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, which is one of the top three Coca-Cola bottlers globally.
According to Gary A. Dordick, the attorney representing the plaintiff, the assaults occurred at David’s offices located in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. David’s legal representation came initially from Glaser Weil Fink Howard Jordan and Shapiro but switched to the Sofos Law Firm from Athens, Greece closer to the trial. Efforts to settle out of court were unsuccessful.
Dordick pointed out that although punitive damages in previous cases, totaling $80 million, failed to deter David’s alleged behavior, the enormity of this new verdict—$800 million in punitive damages and $100 million for compensatory claims—signals a robust reproach and aims to prevent future offenses. He described his client’s traumatic experience, noting that she suffered from PTSD and major depressive disorder as a result of the assaults, which she initially did not report due to fear and humiliation.
Legal analysts observe that this case underscores a growing judicial intolerance toward sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. This case notably highlights the challenges victims face in coming forward, and the substantial psychological impacts they endure. The plaintiff’s reluctance to initially report the crimes aligns with broader patterns observed in many sexual assault cases within corporate settings.
The workplace environment at David’s companies reportedly had a history of women facing sexual harassment and assault, an issue that Dordick emphasized during the trial. Incidents persisted even while David faced litigation for similar allegations, suggesting a deeply ingrained culture of misconduct.
David, who did not appear at the trial, currently resides in Antigua. As the verdict influences both legal and public perceptions, its implications extend beyond the courtroom. Beyond the substantial financial implication, the verdict serves as a significant precedent for how similar high-stake cases might be adjudicated in the future, particularly those involving powerful individuals against whom allegations have been repeatedly made.
The response to this verdict could potentially influence how companies address internal complaints and enforce policies designed to protect employees from similar misconduct. Moreover, it highlights the importance of corporate accountability in preventing workplace harassment and assault, urging companies to take proactive measures in fostering a safe work environment for all employees.