Billionaire hit with $1.3M in attorneys fee

While awaiting a jury’s verdict in one sexual harassment trial against him, Alki David was ordered to pay $1.3 million in attorney fees in connection with another.

Deliberations in the lawsuit brought by David’s former employee Lauren Reeves continued Thursday, following a day’s break and the close of arguments Tuesday. But elsewhere in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Judge Rafael Ongkeko on Wednesday found David liable for legal costs in a similar case brought by another former employee, Chastity Jones.

Ongkeko found a 2.0 multiplier for fees was warranted given the difficulty of litigating sexual harassment cases and the effectiveness of Jones’ counsel at The Bloom Firm, bringing the total fees granted to $1,339,948. That’s in addition to the $11 million granted to Jones by a jury in June. Elizabeth Taylor et al v. Alki David, BC649025 (L.A. Super., filed February 17, 2017).

A Nigerian-born heir to a Greek Coca-Cola bottling fortune, the billionaire has cited his considerable wealth and non-citizen status as reason to shrug off the costs of litigation brought by Reeves, Jones, and a third former employee, Elizabeth Taylor. Representing himself in Taylor’s case, David routinely violated court rules and direct orders from Judge Christopher K. Lui and seemed unmoved by numerous sanctions entered against him totaling about $10,000.

Taylor’s case ended in a mistrial last month with a jury deadlocked 8-4 in David’s favor.

Her counsel, Lisa Bloom, filed a notice of appeal Oct 1.

The billionaire could potentially lose millions more by week’s end if a jury sides with Reeves’ counsel Nathan Goldberg. The Allred, Maroko & Goldberg LLP partner asked a jury in closing arguments Tuesday for $14 million — 1 million for each of 14 instances of harassment or assault allegedly committed by David against Reeves. Lauren Reeves v. Alki David, (L.A. Super. Filed Dec. 7, 2016).

While the jury seemed to get off to a smooth start with deliberations Thursday, a request to read back testimony from former Hologram USA Vice President David Nussbaum caused an afternoon delay.

Their deliberations continue Friday.