Dominic Foppoli, the former mayor of Windsor, California, has been ordered to pay approximately $13 million after a jury found him liable for the sexual assault of seven women in a civil trial. A hearing is scheduled to determine punitive damages.
Plaintiffs' attorney Gina Fortino Dickson stated, "This is a huge victory for a lot of people, starting with the Jane Does." The alleged assaults, involving alcohol, span nearly two decades, from 2001 to 2020. Accusations included a former campaign volunteer claiming assault on two occasions, one after a New Year's Eve celebration, and other women alleging forced oral sex and groping.
Foppoli, 44, has denied all allegations. His attorney, Andrew Watters, indicated he would seek a mistrial, citing the exclusion of a defense witness. "I just know in heart that I did not assault any of these people who were in court today and it’s unfortunate that the jury didn’t see that," Foppoli said Friday.
In addition to Foppoli's liability, the Santa Rosa chapter of the Active 20-30 Club, a social club of which Foppoli was a member, was found liable and ordered to pay $2 million to one of the plaintiffs.
Although criminal investigations were opened, investigators reportedly stated they lacked sufficient evidence to pursue charges, leading the women to file civil litigation. Foppoli resigned as mayor in May 2021, weeks after the allegations first surfaced. He had reportedly considered a political comeback for his former position.
Foppoli is also facing a separate civil lawsuit filed by reality television personality Farrah Abraham, who starred in MTV's "16 and Pregnant." Abraham filed a police report in April 2021 alleging Foppoli drugged and raped her in Florida the previous month. She claimed she had no memory of the event after a wine tasting with Foppoli and reportedly provided police with evidence of the encounter. Foppoli has disputed Abraham's claims, and her civil case is anticipated to go to trial next year.