Warning: This article includes discussions of sexual harassment and rape that may be upsetting for some readers.
In a groundbreaking legal decision, the heir to a Coca-Cola bottling fortune, Alki David, has been ordered to pay a staggering $900 million in a sexual assault lawsuit. This verdict was handed down by a unanimous Los Angeles jury and is one of the largest sexual assault-related settlements in history.
The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, accused David of sexual harassment and rape over a three-year span. Starting in 2016, while she was employed as a model at several of David’s businesses, including Hologram USA—an enterprise known for creating holograms of deceased celebrities—Doe claimed that she was subjected to severe mistreatment.
According to the claimant’s legal team, the workplace atmosphere was extremely toxic, featuring a room ominously nicknamed “the rape room.” Additionally, the door to the human resources department disturbingly sported a pornographic image labeled “HER-ASS.”
The courtroom evidence revealed that some of the alleged abuse transpired while David was already facing other sexual assault allegations in separate legal battles. Gary Dordick, the attorney representing Doe, spoke to the Los Angeles Times, stating, “This monumental verdict marks a significant triumph for justice and sets a precedent in the fight against workplace sexual assault.”
The jury allocated $100 million for compensatory damages and an additional $800 million in punitive damages, totaling $900 million.
Dordick Law, the firm representing the plaintiff, described the outcome as a “monumental victory” on their website. They emphasized that the verdict not only served justice to Jane Doe but also conveyed a potent message to all sexual assault victims: “Your voice matters, and justice is within reach.”
Among the harrowing allegations, Doe recounted an episode where David lured her to his hotel room under the pretense of offering her a CBD product. She claimed the substance left her disoriented and inebriated, during which David allegedly masturbated in front of her and coerced her into inappropriate touching.
The lawsuit detailed further abuse the following year when David supposedly raped Doe in a confined space during a business meeting. Other employees have also come forward, alleging similar experiences of sexual coercion or termination for rebuffing David’s advances.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues discussed in this article, support is available through The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), which operates 24/7. Online assistance is also available at online.rainn.org