A former mayor of Windsor, California, has been ordered to pay $13 million in compensatory damages to seven women who accused him of sexual assault. Dominic Foppoli, a former Democratic mayor, was found civilly liable for assaulting the plaintiffs over a period of 20 years, according to a Sonoma County judge.
The judgment concludes a seven-week trial where allegations of Foppoli's predatory behavior, first made public in 2021, were presented. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Traci Carrillo, stated that the women felt vindicated and believed the verdict provided them with a much-needed sense of justice.
Foppoli has maintained his innocence and is seeking a mistrial, with his lawyer, Andrew Watters, citing issues such as excluded witness testimony. If the mistrial is not granted, Foppoli plans to appeal. He is not facing criminal charges.
The jury also found the Santa Rosa chapter of the Active 20-30 club, an all-male charity social group Foppoli belonged to, liable for one of the assaults. This woman was awarded an additional $2 million in damages. Her claim indicated that she had warned the club about Foppoli's behavior, but it failed to investigate.
The jury found "clear and convincing" evidence that Foppoli acted with "oppression, fraud, and malice" against the women. Carrillo expressed anticipation for the punitive damages phase, hoping it would send a message that such behavior is no longer tolerated.
Foppoli's defense attorney criticized the verdict, asserting that his client had maintained a consistent and plausible account of events. He suggested the jury's decision may have been influenced by inflamed passions and a desire to punish Foppoli.
Foppoli himself claimed the women were motivated by money and were attempting to crucify him for a cause he was not responsible for. The alleged assaults reportedly occurred between 2001 and 2020, with accusations including groping and rape, and in some instances, the use of drugs and alcohol.
Foppoli resigned from his mayoral position in 2021 shortly after allegations surfaced. He continues to face a separate civil lawsuit from reality television personality Farrah Abraham, who accused him of sexual assault in Palm Beach in 2021. Abraham's lawyer stated that she provided police with physical evidence of the encounter.