Renowned molecular biologist David Sabatini has been awarded $6 million after a jury determined that his former colleague, Kristin Knouse, defamed him with false accusations of being a sex pest. The ruling came after a three-week civil trial in Boston.
Sabatini, 58, a scientist once considered a potential Nobel Prize winner, saw his career significantly disrupted in 2021. Allegations surfaced that he had an inappropriate and abusive affair with Knouse, then 38, within his laboratory. These claims were amplified amid the #MeToo movement, leading to Sabatini's dismissal from prestigious positions at the Whitehead Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Sabatini initiated a civil lawsuit five years prior, asserting he was the victim of a smear campaign by Knouse, which he alleged began after he ended their relationship. Knouse countersued, claiming Sabatini abused his professional power to coerce her into an abusive work environment and a non-consensual relationship.
The jury, composed of seven women and six men, ruled that Knouse was liable for $6 million in damages, plus interest, for defaming Sabatini and interfering with his ability to earn a living. Sabatini's attorneys stated the verdict was a victory for his reputation, allowing him to be recognized again for his scientific contributions.
The relationship between Sabatini and Knouse reportedly began in 2018 at a conference, where Sabatini was mentoring Knouse as she prepared to establish her own laboratory. Both scientists acknowledged having a consensual sexual encounter at the conference. However, during the trial, Sabatini's legal team presented text messages from Knouse the following morning that, they argued, indicated no regrets.
Their affair continued for approximately 18 months. Sabatini maintained he continued to mentor Knouse and they saw each other outside of work. Knouse, however, testified that she felt pressured by Sabatini's professional standing and experienced feelings of sexual exploitation.
The relationship concluded in January 2020 when Sabatini informed Knouse he wished to pursue a relationship with another scientist. Shortly thereafter, Knouse reported Sabatini to the Whitehead Institute for alleged misconduct.
An internal investigation by the Whitehead Institute in 2021 concluded that Sabatini had violated workplace policies, leading to his resignation. He also resigned from his tenured position at MIT the following year. The allegations significantly damaged Sabatini's reputation, and a reported offer to join New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine in 2022 led to widespread student protests.
Sabatini testified that the collapse of his professional and personal life led to depression and a suicide attempt. His attorneys argued that the allegations cost him nearly $2 million between 2020 and 2025 and that he was unfairly condemned by an overzealous application of #MeToo principles.
Knouse's attorney stated that her client intends to appeal the verdict, asserting that Knouse testified truthfully and that multiple women had come forward to speak about Sabatini's conduct. The defense argued that the verdict reflects a societal tendency to disbelieve women and resist holding men accountable for their actions.
