A Suffolk County jury has ruled in favor of David Sabatini, former MIT professor accused of inappropriate sexual conduct by a younger colleague, awarding $6 million in damages to the plaintiff. The verdict rejects a high-profile #MeToo claim and directs the plaintiff to pay the damages, impacting the future of the academic community.
Key points
The verdict is a significant victory for David Sabatini, rejecting a high-profile #MeToo…: The verdict is a significant victory for David Sabatini, rejecting a high-profile #MeToo claim.
The $6 million damages award is a substantial financial settlement for the plaintiff.: The $6 million damages award is a substantial financial settlement for the plaintiff.
The ruling impacts the future of the academic community by potentially setting a preceden…: The ruling impacts the future of the academic community by potentially setting a precedent for similar cases.
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A Suffolk County jury on Friday awarded $6 million in damages to ousted star scientist and former MIT professor David Sabatini, whose career imploded after he was accused by a much younger colleague of inappropriate sexual conduct in his Cambridge research lab.
The verdict was a stark rejection of a high-profile #MeToo claim from Kristin Knouse, a fellow scientist who said Sabatini had subjected her to a coercive relationship and fostered a hostile and sexualized workplace environment in his lab at the world-renowned Whitehead Institute.
The jury of seven women and six men directed Knouse — who had brought her own suit against Sabatini — to pay the $6 million verdict, plus interest, finding she had defamed him and interfered with his ability to make a living.
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