In one of the largest verdicts ever for an employment sexual harassment case, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg won a $58.25 million verdict on behalf of Mahim Khan- $50 million in punitive damages and $8.25 million in compensatory damages after she suffered battery, sexual battery and sexual harassment from her former employer, billionaire entrepreneur Alki David. This was one of the highest awards ever seen in an employment sexual harassment case in the United States.
Khan is one of several women who worked at Alki David’s media companies who has filed sexual harassment and battery suits against him.
A pattern of abusive behavior
In October of 2019, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, on behalf of another client, comedy writer Lauren Reeves, obtained a $5 million award against the same Defendants– $4.36 million in punitive damages and $650,000 in compensatory damages. She similarly suffered sexual harassment and battery by David.
David is reported to have said many explicit statements and perpetrated inappropriate actions against multiple women employed at his media companies. Currently, legal verdicts against David stack up to almost $74 million, with additional sexual harassment cases still pending against him.
Gloria Allred released a statement saying “Mr. David’s misconduct in the workplace was outrageous and was such that it would shock the conscience of the community. We are very pleased that the jury agreed and expressed their strong disapproval in their punitive damages verdict.” A copy of our firm’s press releases on these two verdicts can be found here.
Zero tolerance for workplace misconduct
Influential executives and entrepreneurs must be shown that sexual abuse and workplace harassment will not be tolerated. While difficult for workers to speak out against their employers, it is crucial to stop those in positions in power from getting away with abuse.
These two successful lawsuits against David show that even billionaires can be stopped. This should empower all employees who have suffered from sexual harassment to stand up for their right to work in a harassment-free environment.
When sexual misconduct is reported and tried, it tells perpetrators that they will be held accountable for their actions.