An L.A. jury has ruled in favor of Ricky Garcia, a member of the boy band Forever in Your Mind, confirming that he was sexually assaulted by his former manager during his teenage years.
The jury’s decision on Friday held Joby Harte accountable for childhood sexual abuse, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Furthermore, Harte was ordered to pay a substantial amount, including $5.5 million in compensatory damages and an additional $1 million in punitive damages to Ricky.
This ruling marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle for Ricky, who, at the age of 20 in 2019, initiated the legal proceedings against Harte, alleging a history of grooming and assault that commenced when Ricky was a mere 12 years old.
Ricky landed a spot in Forever in Your Mind after participating in season 3 of “The X Factor,” impressing Simon Cowell to the extent that he was invited to join the group. Furthermore, he had a background as a child actor, featuring in over 30 episodes of the Disney Channel series, “Best Friends Whenever.”
However, Ricky revealed in his lawsuit that his showbiz journey took a dark turn under Harte’s influence, as Harte allegedly orchestrated trips under the guise of songwriting sessions, during which Ricky was intoxicated and later found himself unclothed on Harte’s bed.
In his testimony, Ricky also disclosed instances where Harte coerced him into engaging in sexual acts while he was still a minor. Fearful of jeopardizing his career, Ricky remained silent for years until eventually confronting Harte with his mother and taking legal action against him.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Ricky received legal support from Dan Tapetillo at Geragos & Geragos, and Amanda Brookhyser from Zumpano Patricios and Popok.
FAQs
What were the charges against Ricky Garcia’s former manager, Joby Harte?
Joby Harte faced allegations of childhood sexual abuse, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, resulting in a 7-figure judgment against him.
What amount was Ricky Garcia awarded in the lawsuit?
Ricky Garcia received $5.5 million in compensatory damages and an additional $1 million in punitive damages as part of the verdict.
How did Ricky Garcia’s career in showbiz take a dark turn according to the lawsuit?
Ricky revealed that his manager, Joby Harte, manipulated trips under the pretense of songwriting sessions, during which he was allegedly drugged and found undressed on Harte’s bed.
Conclusion
The outcome of Ricky Garcia’s lawsuit against his ex-manager highlights the significance of holding perpetrators of sexual abuse accountable. Ricky’s courage to speak up serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding individuals, particularly minors, from such reprehensible acts in the entertainment industry and beyond.
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