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On June 17, a Los Angeles jury awarded $900 million in damages to a victim in a civil trial accusing businessman Alkiviades "Alki" David of sexual harassment, assault and rape. David, a billionaire and partial heir to the Coca-Cola fortune, was found liable for assaults that occurred while the victim worked for his companies from February 2016 to April 2019.
The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, was represented by Beverly Hills attorney Gary A. Dordick, who stated that the victim was in her late 20s and early 30s at the time of the incidents. Dordick described the verdict as “the first step towards my client obtaining justice,” but acknowledged a long road ahead to ensure fair compensation.
David, currently living in Antigua, did not appear at the trial. He has faced similar accusations from six other women, resulting in previous jury awards totaling $80 million, including $50 million in one case. David has not been criminally prosecuted due to either insufficient evidence or victims not reporting to the police. Dordick mentioned that his client suffered from PTSD and major depressive disorder due to the assaults.
The abusive environment at David’s companies included a room referred to as "The Rape Room" and a pornographic image labeled "HER-ASS" on the HR department door. One incident involved David inviting Jane Doe to his hotel room, where he gave her a CBD product that left her feeling inebriated, then forced her to touch him sexually. The assaults escalated, resulting in rape during a business meeting in front of his Doberman pinscher.
David has denied all claims of sexual misconduct. Despite this, the jury awarded $800 million in punitive damages and $100 million in compensatory damages, with Dordick emphasizing the need to "punish and deter" David. He added, "The significance of this verdict cannot be overstated," as it highlights a "disturbing pattern of abuse and exploitation.”
