In a major legal development, James Toback, an 80-year-old director, has been hit with a $1.68 billion judgment in a civil case involving assaults against 40 women. These allegations span more than 40 years, with the director accused of misconduct and abuse of power, especially during the height of the #MeToo movement.
The seven-day trial concluded with a verdict that included $280 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $1.4 billion in punitive damages, according to Variety. The trial is seen as a significant moment in the ongoing battle for justice for survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Brad Beckworth, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, spoke about the powerful message the verdict sends. “I think this jury spoke loud and clear. We wanted their voice to be heard and to reverberate across the country to tell insiders and people in positions of power that we will not tolerate using that power against women,” Beckworth said.
Toback, who was notably absent from all hearings and trial proceedings, had previously denied the allegations, calling them false. He insisted that any sexual activity was consensual. However, due to his failure to attend pre-trial hearings, the court issued a default judgment against him.
The trial saw 20 women testify in person while another 20 women shared their accounts via video. The testimonies painted a disturbing picture of how Toback lured women into secluded spots—such as his home, his studio, and even public places—by offering them film roles, only to then sexually assault them. Many of these women are in their 40s, 50s, and 70s, and their experiences span over several decades.
Initially, the plaintiffs had sued the Harvard Club in New York, claiming that the institution allowed Toback to continue his behavior for years within its vicinity. However, this lawsuit was dropped in 2024.
For Mary Monahan, the lead plaintiff, the verdict was a long-overdue recognition of the survivors’ experiences. She shared her thoughts on the impact of the ruling: “For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. Believe us. That changes everything. This verdict is more than a number—it’s a declaration. We are not disposable. We are not liars.”
Monahan continued, emphasizing the significance of standing up: “We are not collateral damage in someone else’s power trip. The world knows now what we’ve always known: what he did was real. And what we did—standing up, speaking out—was right.”
James Toback, who is best known for directing films like The Pick-up Artist and Two Girls and a Guy, was first publicly accused of sexual abuse in 2017. This latest verdict marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for justice for the victims of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
