Facts

Minakshi "Micki" Jafa-Bodden sued Bikram Choudhury, Bikram's Yoga College of India LP, Bikram Inc., Rajashree Choudhury, and USA Yoga Federation, in connection with allegations of sexual harassment and other claims.

USA Yoga Federation was dismissed from the lawsuit prior to trial, in October 2013. Rajashree Choudhury was dismissed from the lawsuit, with prejudice, in April 2014.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant, who founded Bikram yoga, allegedly retained plaintiff as an attorney. Plaintiff claimed she was fired after objected to Bikram Choudhury's offensive and derogatory comments about women and a hyper-sexualized work environment, which included Bikram Choudhury receiving daily massages and hair brushing from female staff and students during business meetings. Plaintiff also contended that she was retaliated against after she began investigating multiple complaints about Bikram Choudhury's sexual conduct, including claims that he had raped and sexually assaulted female students. Plaintiff claimed that when she persisted in her efforts to investigate the complaints, she was threatened with physical harm. Plaintiff claimed that she attempted to enlist the help of Vice President Rajashree Choudhury, but that she was further threatened, and eventually terminated. Plaintiff asserted causes of action for wrongful termination in violation of public policy, retaliation, failure to prevent discrimination and harassment, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendant claimed that plaintiff was let go because she did not hold a valid license to practice law in California. Defendant denied sexually harassing anyone.

Result

The jury ultimately rendered a unanimous verdict in favor of Jafa-Bodden and awarded her nearly $1 million in damages, which included $237,054 in past lost earnings, $187,500 in future lost earnings, $50,000 in past non-economic loss, and $450,000 in future non-economic loss. The jury later awarded her nearly $6.5 million in punitive damages.

Other Information

FILING DATE: June 13, 2013.