Jury awards Alki David accuser $650K in compensatory damages

LOS ANGELES -- Ordered to pay $650,000 in compensatory damages by a jury late Friday, billionaire Alki David's record in sexual harassment trials brought against him by former employees is now 0-2-1.

Jurors found 9-3 that the Hologram USA Inc. CEO had touched plaintiff Lauren Reeves with intention to harm or offend and found she did not consent to and was reasonably offended by being touched.

Reeves, the jury additionally found, was subjected to harassment as a result of her gender, and David's behavior had been severe and pervasive. They found the substantial harm caused by David was done in the role of a supervisor.

They ruled David should pay $300,000 for past physical pain and mental suffering and $250,000 for future non-economic loss and mental suffering. They awarded Reeves an additional $100,000 for past and future medical expenses connected with the harassment.

Though not quite yet to the $14 million figure she'd ask for, the result is an overwhelmingly good indicator for Reeves and her attorney Nathan Goldberg as the jury approaches the punitive phase of the trial.

Goldberg argued in favor of the $14 million figure last week in closing arguments, reasoning the jury should award $1 million for each of 14 instances of harassment or assault. Lauren Reeves v. Alki David, Bc643099 (L.A. Super. Filed Dec. 7, 2016).

Reeves briefly told reporters Friday she was relieved by the result before being interrupted by Goldberg, a partner of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg LLP, who said it would be best to save comment until after a ruling was made on punitive damages. She was beaming as the jury's verdict was read and hugged her attorney and friends in the audience following the end of the court day.

David was not in attendance for the verdict Friday. Compared to previous days, where he was been present, the tone in the courtroom in the hours leading up to the jury's notice of a verdict at 2:20 p.m. was surprisingly amicable. Even Goldberg and defense counsel Venable LLP partner Ellyn C. Garofalo, who had often been combative toward one another over the course of the highly emotional trial, struck up a collegial conversation.

Speculating David could be preoccupied with potential wildfire threats to his home in Malibu, Goldberg suggested the punitive damages phase of the trial be saved for next week. While Garofalo argued it best to move on with the punitive phase with only a little over an hour left in the court day Friday, Los Angeles County Sperior Court Judge Terry Green agreed with Goldberg it was best saved for next week.

With the court closed on Monday and potential scheduling conflicts on Green's calendar Tuesday, it's likely that the jury's deliberations on punitive damages will not begin until Wednesday at the earliest.