James Toback Ordered to Pay $1.68 Billion to 40 Accusers

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In the last decade, Hollywood’s cultural milieu has undergone a significant shift, unveiling disturbing truths about numerous high-profile individuals, resulting in arrests. The wave of revelations gained momentum following the powerful impact of the #MeToo movement. Compare this to 1989 when two women chose anonymity to pen an exposé on a renowned director, detailing their personal encounters and those of 11 other women. This piece in Spy magazine even included a detailed fold-out chart illustrating New York’s Upper West Side, highlighting the locations where the director targeted women. After decades of accusations, allegations, and legal wrangling, this director has been compelled to compensate 40 accusers an astounding $1.68 billion. As a movie critic, I find it remarkable how times have changed and the consequences of such misconduct are now being faced head-on.

In question, the filmmaker is James Toback, as reported by Deadline. Seven years after over 50 women accused director James Toback of sexual assault, false imprisonment, coercion, and psychological abuse, a New York State jury recently granted a total of $280 Million in compensatory damages and an additional $1.4 Billion for punitive damages to the plaintiffs. The lawsuit was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which created a one-year window allowing survivors of sexual abuse to file civil claims regardless of when the abuse happened.

Todd is a well-respected filmmaker, nominated for an Oscar, who is famous for his raw New York films. He’s collaborated with some of Hollywood’s top acting talents in various movies he has written or directed, including James Caan and Paul Sorvino in ‘The Gambler’, Harvey Keitel in ‘Fingers’, Nastassja Kinski, Ian McShane, and Bibi Andersson in ‘Exposed’, Molly Ringwald and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘The Pick-Up Artist’, Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Harvard Man’, Neve Campbell in ‘When Will I Be Loved’, Alec Baldwin and Sienna Miller in ‘An Imperfect Murder’. Todd also wrote the screenplay for Barry Levinson’s film ‘Bugsy’, which garnered him an Oscar nomination and a total of 10 nominations for the movie.

The Women Who Accused James Toback Speak Out

Actress Mary Monahan played a crucial role in initiating the case and was one of its plaintiffs; she stated today, “This isn’t just a court decision—it’s vindication. For years, I endured this trauma in isolation, but today, a jury sided with me. With us. That shifts everything. This verdict is more than a figure—it’s a proclamation. We are not disposable. We are not fabricators. We are not casualties in someone else’s game of power. The world now recognizes what we have always known: his actions were genuine. And our actions—standing up, speaking out—were just.

Brad Beckworth, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, declared in a statement, “This decision embodies justice. Yet, it carries an even greater significance—empowering victims and stripping power from those who abuse and their accomplices. Today, a jury from New York’s wider community delivered a potent message that echoes beyond this courtroom: nobody is immune to accountability. The struggle continues; there’s more work ahead.

The National Sexual Assault Initiative (NSAI), being the largest in its field, provides round-the-clock confidential support via phone or online chats, as well as additional resources. If you require assistance, wish to gather more information, or want to make a contribution, please do so here.

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2025-04-10 05:31