In a court ruling in New York on Wednesday, director James Toback, implicated in the #MeToo movement back in 2017, was mandated to compensate an amount of approximately $1.68 billion following a trial concerning sexual misconduct allegations.
In my perspective as a movie critic, I must address the alarming allegations against Paul Toback, now an octogenarian. Over four turbulent decades, he stands accused of exploiting his position within the film industry to commit sexual assaults against women. Last week, at a seven-day trial, no less than 40 women bravely testified, shedding light on these harrowing experiences. Their legal representatives believe that this historic case will set a new precedent in our state for the largest sex assault verdict ever handed down.
Brad Beckworth, representing the plaintiffs, stated emphatically that the jury’s decision made it clear they agreed with him. He had previously expressed the opinion that the #MeToo movement needed to go further in its efforts. His goal was to ensure that the jury’s message would echo nationwide, conveying a strong stance against those who abuse their power by targeting women.
Toback was missing from the court trial. Previously in this case, he had made a general denial, even asserting that any sexual acts were consensual. At that point, he was representing himself. He failed to appear at pretrial conferences, resulting in a default verdict against him.
Toback did not respond to messages seeking comment on Wednesday.
The group of six jurors gathered with the task of determining compensation. Following their discussions, this jury granted $280 million in compensatory damage awards and an additional $1.4 billion in punitive damages.
The attorneys will next have to assess whether Toback has any assets they can pursue.
Ross Leonoudakis, another lawyer representing the plaintiffs, mentioned they would attempt recovery, yet emphasized there were other driving forces,” he said. “Beyond this, we recognized a rare chance to aid these victims in their pursuit of justice.
1991 saw Scott Toback penning the movie “Bugsy,” while also writing and directing both “The Pick-up Artist” and “Two Girls and a Guy.” He faced allegations of cruising New York City streets for several decades, luring young women with offers of film roles. These women claimed he sexually assaulted them at venues like the Harvard Club, various spots throughout New York, his apartment, editing studio, and even public parks.
Individuals who allege they were victimized — many currently in their 40s and 50s, with some over 70 — can file a lawsuit due to the New York Adult Survivors Act. This legislation temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases, providing a one-year window for filing such lawsuits. The initial legal action was initiated in December 2022.
Throughout the entirety of the court case, twenty women appeared personally to give testimony. Additionally, video recordings of testimonies from another twenty women were shown to the jury.
Mary Monahan, the lead plaintiff, said in a statement that the verdict represents “validation.”
For many years, I held my trauma within me without a word, but today, the jury affirmed my truth. They affirmed ours. This decision alters everything. This verdict is not just a number, it’s a proclamation. We are not discardable. We are not fabricators. We are not casualties in someone else’s game of power. Now, the world understands what we’ve long known: his actions were genuine. And our actions – speaking up, standing tall – were justified.
Karen Sklaire Watson, another plaintiff, said the verdict will make New York safer for women.
She made it clear: We won’t let predators use their status, wealth, or influence as a shield. This won’t be tolerated in our community anymore.
Originally, the plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the Harvard Club of New York, claiming that the club was negligent by permitting Toback to use it for numerous sexual assaults spanning over years. However, in January 2024, the plaintiffs decided to withdraw their case against the Harvard Club.
Back in October 2017, exactly two weeks after the New York Times exposed Harvey Weinstein’s history of harassment claims, The L.A. Times was the first to report allegations against Toback from 38 women. This revelation sparked a snowball effect, with more and more similar accusations surfacing against various Hollywood personalities. It also led to new laws being enacted that strengthen the protection of sexual assault victims, making it simpler for them to file lawsuits. I was among those who followed this wave of exposures closely.
“We’ll try to recover it, but that’s not the only motivating factor,” said Ross Leonoudakis,
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2025-04-10 01:46