James Toback ordered to pay $1.68B to 40 sexual assault victims

A New York jury has ordered filmmaker James Toback to pay $1.68 billion to 40 women who accused him of sexual assault, coercion, and psychological abuse over a span of 35 years. The lawsuit, filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, allowed survivors to seek justice despite the expiration of the statute of limitations. The jury awarded $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion in punitive damages, marking one of the largest verdicts in New York state history and sending a strong message against the abuse of power in the entertainment industry. Toback, who did not attend the trial, has denied all allegations, claiming any sexual activity was consensual, but the court entered a default judgment against him due to his absence. The plaintiffs' attorney emphasized that the verdict is about justice and reclaiming power for the victims. This ruling highlights the ongoing evolution of the legal system's response to historical allegations of sexual misconduct.