A former Democratic mayor from a small town in northern California has been found liable on civil charges related to allegations of sexual assault against seven women. Dominic Foppoli served as the mayor of Windsor between 2018 and 2021. He was ordered to pay $13 million in compensatory damages. These payouts, related to incidents from 2001 to 2020, will range from $6,000 to $4,650,938 for each claimant, as reported by KTVU FOX 2.
The judgement includes the potential for punitive damages, with that phase of the trial scheduled to begin soon. Foppoli has consistently denied any wrongdoing and faces no criminal charges tied to these claims. In May 2021, he resigned after four women accused him of sexual assault, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I’ve been a terrible boyfriend and partner, cheating, selfish, and egotistical, but I’ve never done any of those things I’m being sued for,” Foppoli stated in court, according to KGO Eyewitness News.
The lawsuit was filed in April 2022, outlining charges from seven Jane Does. There are allegations of drugging and assault, including claims from Jane Doe 1, who alleged repeated rapes and being handcuffed against her will.
The San Francisco Chronicle notes that 13 women have accused Foppoli of misconduct. In 2024, the state attorney general suspended a criminal inquiry, citing insufficient evidence for charges.
The jury also implicated the Santa Rosa chapter of Active 20-30, a social club where Foppoli was involved, for one woman’s assault, awarding an extra $2 million as compensation.
Attorney Traci Carrillo, representing the plaintiffs, praised the judgment for offering a platform to those victimized, asserting their trauma was recognized and that the proceedings assured accountability.
Andrew Watters, Foppoli’s lawyer, intends to seek a mistrial, arguing exclusion of key defense witnesses, with plans to appeal if unsuccessful. Watters criticized the verdict, labeling the evidence as “questionable.”
Currently, Foppoli faces another lawsuit from a reality television personality, Farrah Abraham, who claims he raped her in 2021. Additionally, he settled a separate suit involving rape accusations from a Montana woman. These legal challenges continue to affect his reputation and legal standing.