Ex-mayor found liable for alleged sexual assaults of 7 women, ordered to pay $13M
Former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli Ordered to Pay $13 Million in Civil Sexual‑Assault Claims
A jury in Sonoma County on Friday found former Windsor, California, mayor Dominic Foppoli liable for sexually assaulting seven women, awarding the victims a total of $13 million in compensatory damages. The verdict comes after a civil trial that began in July and covers allegations that span nearly two decades, from 2001 to 2020.
Foppoli, who served as mayor from late 2018 until his resignation in May 2021, was accused by seven plaintiffs—identified in court as Jane Do 1 through 7—of drug‑assaulting and raping them. The lawsuit, filed in April 2022, also named 13 women in total who had claimed sexual misconduct by the former public official. The jury’s award ranged from $6 000 to $4 650 938 for each victim, depending on the severity and circumstances of their alleged assaults.
In addition to Foppoli’s liability, the jury found the Santa Rosa chapter of Active 20‑30, an all‑male charitable club of which Foppoli had been a member, liable for the assault of Jane Doe 4. That plaintiff was awarded an additional $2 million, bringing the combined civil damages to roughly $15 million.
The civil case is part of a larger set of legal actions against Foppoli. A separate lawsuit from social‑media personality Farrah Abraham alleges that the former mayor raped her during a party in Florida in March 2021; that case is expected to go to trial next year. A Montana woman who claimed Foppoli had raped her in 2020 when she was 18 settled a civil suit with the former mayor’s business, Christopher Creek Winery.
Trial and Legal Context
During the civil trial, which began in July, Foppoli took the stand and denied all accusations. “I’ve been a terrible boyfriend and partner, cheating, selfish and egotistical, but I’ve never done any of those things I’m being sued for,” he told the court. He has never faced criminal charges, and in 2024 the state attorney general’s office suspended its criminal investigation for lacking sufficient evidence to file charges on the claims that were not barred by statute of limitations.
After the verdict, Foppoli’s attorney, Andrew Watters, said the defense would file for a mistrial, citing alleged improper exclusion of witnesses. If that fails, he indicated an appeal would be pursued, arguing that the jury’s award was based on “questionable self‑reported evidence and junk science.”
Foppoli’s attorney also suggested that the jury’s decision was driven more by emotion than fact, stating, “It appears the passions of the jury were inflamed by the evidence, and they hated my client, so they made a very large award to punish and make an example of him.”
In a press conference outside the courthouse, Foppoli responded that his accusers were “trying to crucify me for a cause I’m not responsible for” and were motivated by the money. He maintained his innocence throughout.
Plaintiffs’ Perspective
Traci Carrillo, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told Fox News Digital that the original San Francisco Chronicle article gave voice to clients that local outlets had avoided. “It took over five years to get them justice, which was always about accountability,” she said. “Their trauma was real, and they were believed, not shamed or silenced in the courtroom. They feel vindicated and will now focus on the much‑needed healing the jury has provided for them.”
Carrillo noted that one of the alleged incidents involved the defendant handcuffing a victim to a bed, and several claims described drugging of drinks prior to assault. The lawsuit also highlighted a 2012 assault claim at the National Active 20‑30 convention in Reno, Nevada, and alleged that the club failed to investigate complaints made to its leaders.
Broader Implications
The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of sexual‑assault allegations against public officials. While no criminal charges have been filed against Foppoli, the substantial civil damages may influence future investigations and public perception. The pending Farrah Abraham lawsuit and the settlement with the Montana plaintiff add to the legal complexity surrounding the former mayor’s actions.
For Windsor and the wider Sonoma County community, the verdict signals a judicial acknowledgment of the victims’ claims and a potential shift in how such cases are pursued in civil courts. As the punitive‑damage phase of the civil trial is slated to begin next Tuesday, both parties will await whether additional penalties will be imposed, potentially increasing the total compensation owed to the victims.
