A civil jury in Sonoma County, California, has found former Windsor mayor Domonic Foppoli liable for sexual assault claims brought by seven women, awarding a combined $13 million in damages for the economic losses they said they suffered.
Verdict follows widely publicised allegations
The trial, which began on 15 July and concluded with the verdict on 11 September, followed accusations that first became public in April 2021. That initial reporting prompted a wave of further allegations: by the end of May 2021, claims had been made by a total of 13 women.
- Plaintiffs: Seven women pursued the civil action filed in April 2022.
- Verdict: Jury found Foppoli liable and awarded $13m for economic losses.
- Punitive damages: The jury will consider these at a later date.
The jury’s award covers the economic harms the plaintiffs attributed to the incidents they described. A separate decision on punitive damages — which are intended to punish particularly egregious conduct and to deter similar behaviour — remains pending.
Criminal probe and denials
Foppoli has consistently denied the allegations. In March 2024, the California Attorney General’s Office concluded its investigation and said there was not enough evidence to pursue criminal charges. That decision left the door open for civil litigation, which has a lower standard of proof.
"There was insufficient evidence to file criminal charges," the California Attorney General’s Office concluded in March 2024.
During the civil trial, testimony delved beyond individual encounters. Witnesses and counsel discussed the behaviour of Foppoli’s circle, the culture within the local Active 20-30 chapter and the actions of individuals who responded to the initial allegations in 2021. Plaintiffs’ lawyers characterised a broader pattern of sexist behaviour and said fellow members had treated it as a joke rather than acting to stop it. Defence attorneys sought to frame the comments as locker-room talk and questioned the likelihood of several women bringing forward allegations around the same time.
Organisations settled ahead of trial
Two local defendants named in the lawsuit — Christopher Creek Winery and the national Active 20-30 organisation — reached settlements with the plaintiffs shortly before the trial commenced. Details of those settlements were not disclosed during the trial record cited by the court reporting.
The litigation has reshaped public memory of Foppoli’s time in office. He had been noted for visible activity during events such as the 2019 Kincade Fire, but once the allegations surfaced public perception shifted markedly. He resigned from the mayoralty under pressure in 2021.
Local resonance and limits
Although these events unfolded in Windsor, California — not Windsor in the South East of England — the case is likely to draw attention among residents here because of the shared place name and the serious nature of the findings. It also serves as a reminder of how civil courts can provide redress when criminal proceedings do not proceed.
The jury’s financial award addresses claimed economic losses. Whether punitive damages will be added, and if so how substantial they might be, will be decided in the next phase of the proceeding.
Given the sensitivity of the subject and the ongoing legal process, court records and reporting remain the primary sources for further details on testimony and any future appeals. The civil verdict marks a significant development in a matter that has occupied public attention since 2021.
Reporting from the South East: this item is summarised for Windsor readers with an interest in notable court outcomes linked to the Windsor name internationally.
