Director James Toback On The Hook For $1.68 Billion In Sexual Assault Lawsuit By 40 Women

Yahoo

10-04-2025

The Harvey Weinstein effect continues with James Toback joining the list of Hollywood veterans going down in flames for allegedly assaulting and harassing women in the industry.
The film director recently received a partial default judgment, resulting in a billion-dollar loss over his alleged crimes. Forty women accused Toback of sexual assault, psychological abuse, false imprisonment, and coercion.
The allegations against James Toback were similar to the accusations against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, whose downfall sparked the #MeToo Movement. One of the director's accusers is Jenn DeLeo, who made waves in 2023 for slamming her husband with physical abuse claims.
The legal drama between Toback and his accusers recently concluded when a New York jury awarded $1.68 billion to 40 alleged victims. These women received $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion in punitive damages.
Toback's downfall began in October 2017 when over 30 women accused him of decades-long sexual harassment. His troubles continued in 2022 when dozens of women sued him for manipulating them.
They claimed he coerced them into meetings they believed were job interviews. However, these meetings allegedly turned sexual.
Toback initially attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed last year, but a judge denied his request. Surprisingly, the director stepped back and was not represented when the case went to trial this month, nor did he appear in court. His absence resulted in a partial default judgment, per TMZ.
When the allegations against Toback first surfaced in 2017, the director vehemently denied the allegations. He argued that he only had brief encounters with the women or never met them. Additionally, he stressed that he was medically incapable of such alleged actions, citing diabetes and a heart condition.
Toback's accusers include stars like Julianne Moore, Natalie Morales, Ellen Pompeo, and Stone Temple Pilots guitarist's estranged wife, Jenn DeLeo. The latter made waves in 2023 for accusing her husband, Dean DeLeo, of physical abuse. The Blast covered the story, reporting Jenn called the cops on her beau.
Jenn reported her husband had left the house intoxicated, noting he was driving under the influence. It did not take long before the officers found the musician, pulled him over, and arrested him for DUI. However, while in police custody, Jenn made another report of domestic violence.
Authorities reportedly found enough evidence to book Dean for felony domestic violence, and an emergency protection order was issued for Jenn. The order banned her husband from approaching her, but he soon violated the agreement.
Police sources noted Dean tried to contact Jenn and eventually turned himself in for the violation. He was later released only to face a divorce lawsuit from his wife. The separation filing marked the second Jenn has filed, with the first happening in 2018.
Following his second divorce case, Dean implied he was innocent, telling sources: "I look forward to having my voice heard at the appropriate time and place to address these allegations." His domestic violence allegations marked the second time Jenn had accused him of such behavior.
In her 2018 divorce filing, Jenn accused Dean of being an abusive and drunken mess. She implied he was a danger to those around him, claiming she feared for her life and that of her daughter, June.
Jenn filed for divorce days after Dean allegedly made violent threats, admitted to cheating, and told her to leave the house. She claimed he did so in their daughter's presence, explaining that his alarming behavior started in 2012.
According to the alleged victim, her husband began changing shortly after they walked down the aisle and welcomed June.
Dean, per Jenn's claims, began abusing alcohol and drugs until he became increasingly violent and unpredictable. One incident allegedly saw him nearly drowning their daughter in the ocean.
Before the sexual assault and harassment allegations, Toback made waves in the entertainment industry as a screenwriter and film director. He first gained fame by writing the semi-autobiographical "The Gambler," released in 1974.
He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1991 for the movie "Bugsy." As a director, Toback made his debut in the 1978 film "Fingers." He went on to direct other popular projects like 1987's "The Pick-up Artist," 1997's "Two Girls and a Guy," and 1999's "Black and White."
Toback first walked down the aisle in April 1968, tying the knot to Consuelo Sarah Churchill Vanderbilt Russell. However, their relationship quickly ended in divorce.
The director found love again with his second marriage to Stephanie Kempf, who edited his first documentary, "The Big Bang," in 1989, per Wikipedia.
Will James Toback fight the $1.68 billion judgment?