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Jury Awards $1.68 Billion to Women in James Toback Sexual Abuse Case
In a landmark verdict for sexual abuse cases stemming from the #MeToo movement, a New York jury has awarded $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women who accused film director James Toback of sexual assault and related offenses. The ruling follows accusations spanning over three decades, according to legal representatives for the plaintiffs.
Lawsuit Filed Under Adult Survivors Act
The decision originates from a lawsuit submitted in Manhattan in 2022. This legal action was made possible by New York State’s Adult Survivors Act, which provided a one-year window for individuals to pursue legal claims regarding past sexual assault, regardless of when the incidents occurred.
“Message to Powerful Individuals”
Attorney Brad Beckworth, from Nix Patterson LLP, stated in an interview that this verdict is among the largest jury awards in New York state history and since the rise of the #MeToo movement. He explained that the plaintiffs believe this substantial judgment will send a clear message to influential figures “who do not treat women with respect.”
Verdict Details: Compensatory and Punitive Damages
While official court documents were pending release as of Wednesday evening, Beckworth indicated that the verdict comprises $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion in punitive damages for the women involved.
“Taking Power Back from Abusers”
“This verdict signifies justice,” declared Beckworth in a released statement. “More importantly, it is about reclaiming authority from abusers – and those who enable them – and giving it back to those they attempted to control and silence.”
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Decades of Alleged Abuse
Beckworth detailed that the alleged abuse occurred over a period from 1979 to 2014.
Toback’s Hollywood Career and #MeToo Allegations
James Toback, known for receiving an Oscar nomination for writing the 1991 film “Bugsy,” has had a lengthy career in Hollywood for more than 40 years. Accusations of years of sexual misconduct against him emerged in late 2017, coinciding with the growing #MeToo movement. The initial reports were published by the Los Angeles Times.
Previous Declined Criminal Charges
In 2018, prosecutors in Los Angeles County stated that statutes of limitations had expired in five reviewed cases and opted not to file criminal charges against Toback at that time.
Civil Lawsuit and Pattern of Deception
Subsequently, the plaintiffs initiated a civil lawsuit in New York shortly after the Adult Survivors Act took effect. Legal counsel stated they uncovered a pattern in which Toback allegedly lured young women he encountered on New York streets by falsely promising them roles in his movies. He then allegedly subjected them to sexual acts, intimidation, and psychological manipulation.
Lead Plaintiff: “Validation” for Survivors
Mary Monahan, the lead plaintiff in the case, described the jury’s award as “validation” for herself and the other women.
“We Are Not Disposable”
“For years, I silently carried this trauma, and today, a jury believed me. Believed us. That changes everything,” Monahan affirmed in her statement. “This verdict is more than just a number—it’s a declaration. We are not disposable. We are not liars. We are not collateral damage in someone else’s quest for power. The world now knows what we have always known: what he did was real.”
Toback’s Denials and Legal Arguments
Toback, 80, who recently represented himself in court, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in court filings. He asserted that he “committed no sexual offense” and that “any sexual encounter or interaction between Plaintiffs and Defendant was consensual.”
He further contended that New York’s law extending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims violated his constitutional rights.
No Immediate Comment from Toback
A request for comment sent to an email address associated with Toback did not receive an immediate response.
Default Judgment and Damages Trial
In January, the presiding judge in the case issued a default judgment against Toback after he failed to appear in court as directed. Consequently, a trial focused solely on damages was scheduled last month to determine the financial compensation Toback would be required to pay to the women.