Ex-mayor found liable for alleged sexual assaults of 7 women, ordered to pay $13M

A former mayor, Dominic Foppoli, who led the town of Windsor from late 2018 to 2021, was found civilly liable on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting seven women. A jury ordered Foppoli to pay a combined $13 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiffs.

The payouts to the women, whose allegations span from 2001 to 2020, will range from $6,000 to $4,650,938 each. A punitive damages phase of the civil trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Foppoli has consistently denied all wrongdoing and has never been criminally charged in connection with the allegations. He resigned as mayor in May 2021 after four women publicly accused him of sexual assault. The lawsuit, filed in April 2022, detailed allegations from seven Jane Does, several of whom claimed Foppoli drugged their drinks before assaulting them. One plaintiff, Jane Doe 1, alleged Foppoli raped her dozens of times, including an incident where she said he handcuffed her to a bed.

In total, 13 women have accused Foppoli of sexual assault or misconduct, according to reports. In 2024, the state attorney general’s office suspended its criminal investigation into Foppoli, citing insufficient evidence to file charges in cases not barred by the statute of limitations.

During the civil trial, which began in July, Foppoli testified, again denying the allegations. "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," Foppoli stated on the stand.

The jury also found the Santa Rosa chapter of Active 20-30, an all-male charitable social club where Foppoli was a member, liable for Jane Doe 4’s alleged assault. This resulted in an additional $2 million awarded to her. The lawsuit stated Jane Doe 4 alleged Foppoli sexually assaulted her during a national Active 20-30 convention in Reno, Nevada, in June 2012 and accused the organization of failing to investigate her complaints.

Traci Carrillo, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told reporters that the initial public reporting of these accusations gave a voice to clients who felt local news agencies were hesitant to cover the story due to Foppoli's status. "It took over 5 years to get them justice, which was always about accountability. Their trauma was real, and they were believed, not shamed or silenced in the courtroom," Carrillo said. "They feel vindicated and will now focus on the much-needed healing the jury has provided for them."

Foppoli’s attorney, Andrew Watters, indicated plans to seek a mistrial, citing the court's exclusion of key defense witnesses. Watters stated, "What happened with the verdict was that the jury sent a message based on questionable self-reported evidence and junk science, and that’s not appropriate. 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."

Foppoli still faces a separate lawsuit from Farrah Abraham, who claims the ex-politician raped her in March 2021. Additionally, Christopher Creek Winery, owned by Foppoli, settled a lawsuit with a Montana woman who alleged Foppoli raped her multiple times in 2020.