$1.68 Billion Verdict Against Director James Toback Becomes a Defining Moment for Survivors of Abuse

In a historic victory for survivors of sexual abuse, a New York jury has awarded $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women who bravely came forward to accuse Hollywood writer and director James Toback of sexual misconduct spanning more than three decades. The verdict is one of the largest since the emergence of the #MeToo movement and represents a resounding declaration: we believe survivors, and we will no longer tolerate the silencing of their voices.

Filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act — which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for adult sexual assault claims — the lawsuit gave women who had long been denied legal recourse a long-overdue opportunity to seek justice. Many of these women described being lured into private meetings by Toback under the guise of film opportunities, only to be subjected to sexual abuse, threats, and psychological coercion.

The court awarded $280 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $1.4 billion in punitive damages — a clear message that the legal system can and will hold even the most powerful individuals accountable.

“This verdict is about justice,” said lead attorney Brad Beckworth. “But more importantly, it’s about taking power back from the abusers – and their enablers – and returning it to those he tried to control and silence.”

Mary Monahan, one of the lead plaintiffs, shared a deeply personal and powerful reflection:

“For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. Believed us. That changes everything... We are not disposable. We are not liars. We are not collateral damage in someone else’s power trip.”

While Toback, now 80, continues to deny the allegations and claims the encounters were consensual, his failure to appear in court ultimately led to a default judgment earlier this year. The damages trial followed soon after, and focused solely on what restitution was owed to the survivors.

This case is a stark reminder of how long justice can take — and how critical it is that our legal system evolve to meet the needs of survivors. Thanks to legislative reforms like the Adult Survivors Act, many individuals who once had no legal path forward are finally being heard.

At its core, this verdict is not just about one man’s actions — it’s about the systems that allowed those actions to continue unchecked, and the collective strength of those who dared to speak out. It's about reclaiming dignity, rewriting narratives, and ensuring that future generations see accountability as the norm, not the exception.