The Verdict
A Sonoma County jury found Dominic Foppoli, the former mayor of Windsor and a Democrat, civilly liable for sexually assaulting seven women and ordered him to pay a combined $13 million in compensatory damages. Individual awards range from $6,000 to $4,650,938, with allegations spanning from 2001 to 2020, according to the case summary provided. KTVU FOX 2 reported the punitive damages phase is set to begin Tuesday.
Foppoli has not been criminally charged. He has denied all wrongdoing.
What the Lawsuit Alleged
The civil suit, filed in April 2022, included claims from seven women identified as Jane Does. Several alleged Foppoli drugged their drinks before assaulting them. Jane Doe 1 alleged he raped her dozens of times, including an incident in which she said he handcuffed her to a bed. The San Francisco Chronicle has reported that a total of 13 women have accused Foppoli of sexual assault or misconduct over the years.
All-Male Club Also Found Liable
The jury also found the Santa Rosa chapter of Active 20-30, an all-male charitable social club Foppoli belonged to, liable for the alleged assault of Jane Doe 4, awarding her an additional $2 million, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe 4 said Foppoli assaulted her during the national Active 20-30 convention in Reno, Nevada, in June 2012, and that the organization failed to investigate her complaints.
Defense Pushback and Next Steps
Foppoli testified during the trial, which began in July, again denying the accusations. KGO Eyewitness News quoted him telling jurors: “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.”
His attorney, Andrew Watters, told Fox News Digital he will seek a mistrial, arguing the court improperly excluded key defense witnesses. If unsuccessful, he said he will appeal. Watters characterized the verdict as driven by “questionable self-reported evidence and junk science.”
Speaking outside the courthouse, Foppoli said his accusers “are trying to crucify me for a cause I’m not responsible for,” and suggested they were motivated by the $13 million award.
Criminal Probe Status and Resignation
In 2024, the California attorney general’s office suspended its criminal investigation into Foppoli, citing insufficient evidence to file charges on cases not barred by the statute of limitations at that time. Foppoli resigned as mayor in May 2021 after four women told the San Francisco Chronicle he had sexually assaulted them. He has continued to deny wrongdoing.
Other Legal Matters
Foppoli faces a separate lawsuit by social media personality Farrah Abraham, who alleges he raped her in March 2021 at a house party in Florida. That case is expected to go to trial next year, according to court records. Separately, Christopher Creek Winery, which Foppoli owns, settled a lawsuit brought by a Montana woman who alleged Foppoli raped her multiple times in 2020 when she was 18, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
