Staff Reports
The civil jury in Sonoma County has spoken. A jury found former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli civilly liable for sexually assaulting seven women and ordered him to pay $13 million in compensatory damages. The ruling lands squarely on the issue of accountability — even when criminal courts step back.
Jury finds former Windsor mayor liable in sexual assault lawsuit
In a civil trial, seven unnamed women accused former Mayor Dominic Foppoli of drugging their drinks and assaulting them over many years. The jury concluded that the women proved their claims by the lower civil standard of proof and handed down a combined $13 million award. Foppoli continues to deny wrongdoing, but the verdict leaves a clear financial and reputational mark on the man who once led a small California town.
Civil verdict versus criminal investigation
Here’s the bitter irony: prosecutors declined to file criminal charges after a state attorney general probe said there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed. Yet a civil jury found enough to hold him liable. That’s how the justice system sometimes works — civil courts can provide relief to victims when criminal tribunals can’t or won’t bring cases. Expect the punitive damages phase to begin this week, which could raise the monetary hit even higher.
What the verdict means for victims and local politics
This verdict matters beyond the money. It sends a message that victims can be heard in civil court and that elected officials aren’t immune from accountability. Towns like Windsor need leaders who inspire trust, not suspicion. Voters and local officials should pay attention: resignations and denials do not erase the costs — personal, civic, and financial — that follow when leaders cross serious lines.
Prosecutors, political allies, and the public should take note
Prosecutors get the luxury of pursuing cases only when they believe they can win beyond a reasonable doubt. Civil juries operate differently, and sometimes that’s the last stop for justice. Political allies who rushed to defend Foppoli should think twice about instant loyalty next time. And the public should demand transparent investigations and consistent standards for all officials. The civil verdict doesn’t close the book entirely — but it sure writes a new chapter.
