Overview
- A Suffolk County jury found Kristin Knouse liable for defamation and tortious interference and awarded David Sabatini $6 million in damages, a verdict rendered after a three-week trial that concluded with the jury’s decision on Oct. 14.
- Jurors rejected Knouse’s counterclaims that Sabatini had sexually harassed or retaliated against her, and Knouse’s attorney Ellen Zucker said Knouse will appeal the verdict.
- The civil judgment addresses only the private claims between the two scientists and does not overturn a 2021 independent Whitehead Institute investigation that had found Sabatini violated workplace relationship policies and led to his resignation and separate actions by MIT and HHMI.
- Sabatini has said the lawsuit was meant to clear his name after years of career damage, and reporting shows philanthropic backing, including a multi-year pledge reported from Bill Ackman, helped him re-establish labs in Prague and Boston while he struggled personally and professionally.
- The ruling is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of how universities investigate misconduct, with immediate effects on reputations and with appeals and institutional reviews expected to determine any further legal or professional consequences.